THIEVES smashed their way into a Sainsbury’s supermarket and raided the cigarette counter.

The thieves used crow bars and hammered their way through a glass pane in an automatic door to get into the store in Cricketers Way, Westhoughton.

They stashed cigarettes in a builders bag, climbed into a waiting car and fled. It is believed that the men were on the scene for only two minutes.

It is believed the men made off with around £10,000 worth of items from the tobacco kiosk.

Staff were seen at the kiosk counting stock on Wednesday morning as they tried to work out what had been taken.

There was smashed glass on the ground outside the shop on Wednesday morning but this had been boarded up by yesterday afternoon.

It is believed to be the second time the store has been raided in six weeks.

The last time the cigarette counter is also believed to have been the target as the thieves smashed their way in and took the items.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "We can confirm there was an incident at our Westhoughton store. Thankfully no customers or colleagues were harmed. We’re supporting the police with their investigation.”

The spokesman confirmed that this was the second incident at the store in recent weeks.

Cllr David Wilkinson, Westhoughton town councillor, learned about the raid from a concerned resident. He said: "There does seem to have been an increase in the number of break-ins to outbuildings and other premises in Westhoughton recently.

"It is the second time that it has been hit recently. The store shuts at 10pm in the week, so I'm pretty sure most of the staff had gone home but it must be a concern for any members of staff that work there.

"The shop has CCTV so hopefully there is something from that that can help the police."

A police spokesman said that inquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made in connection with the latest raid.