Ram-raiders in hoodies smashed a 4x4 vehicle through a shopfront in a bungled attempt to get at a cash machine.

Virendra Trivedi, owner of the Alldays convenience store in Hangleton Way, Hove, was asleep in the flat upstairs when the gang reversed through the front window at 3.30am yesterday.

He woke to see the beige Jeep Cherokee racing away, leaving the cash machine behind as the alarm rang. He said: "There was a big bang which woke us up. All we saw was the car driving away. The whole of the shopfront has gone so I have got to close for the day. It will cost me thousands of pounds.

"It is not only me who is affected but also all the elderly people who rely on me because this is their local shop."

City councillors Dawn Barnett and Peter Willows visited the shop, one of a small parade.

Coun Barnett said: "We have been successful in getting CCTV cameras for the main shops up in Hangleton Road.

"That followed three ram-raids on the off-licence and Alldays up there in two years. But this parade of shops is too small to justify the expense of another camera.

"I shall be asking the council to put in bollards so nobody can get vehicles across the pavement.

"This store is at the heart of the community. Elderly people rely on it because they cannot walk all the way up the hill to the shops in Hangleton Road.

"They find it very frightening when something like this happens."

Brian Fitch, Labour councillor for Hangleton, said: "We have to increase the police presence up there to act as a deterrent. The environment committee will be making a commitment for CCTV cameras at The Grenadier this week. But we need to do more to protect small shopkeepers."

Police today appealed for witnesses. Inspector Julie Wakeford said: "We believe three people wearing hoodies were involved.

"The vehicle involved was a Jeep Cherokee which would have suffered damage at the back."

Anyone with information is asked to phone Hove police station on 0845 6070999.