FOOTAGE showing a masked gang breaking into a supermarket has been released as police step up their efforts to catch the men.

Morrisons in Harwood was broken into by at least four men carrying hammers and crowbars at about 1.30am on Wednesday.

They stole about £7,000 of cigarettes before escaping in a van while being chased by police — who they lost after throwing items at the pursuing vehicles.

CCTV clips show the gang ransacking the cigarette kiosk, leaving litter strewn in their wake, before wheeling large grey trollies, containing cigarettes, out of the store.

Just after they left, a Morrisons staff member, working at the back of the store on a night shift, is seen walking through the store looking for the gang.

At least four men, all wearing black, with their faces covered, are captured crouching behind news stands and other items in the foyer at the front of the supermarket.

They are also caught by an outside camera, entering and leaving the store.

Police have made progress identifying the grey Vauxhall Vivaro van the raiders used to get away.

It had the registration plate FG58 FAA and had "Enterprise" written on both sides.

No arrests have been made.

Det Insp Charlotte Cadden, from Bolton North neighbourhood policing team, said: "We are urging anyone who might have any information to look carefully at this CCTV footage and get in touch with us.

"If you were in the vicinity of the store at that time or saw a van driving quickly, please get in touch.

"Likewise, if you hear of cigarettes being sold you think may have come from this raid, or you know who was involved, let us know immediately."

The raid triggered the supermarket's alarms, which alerted police.

Terrified staff on a night shift were working in the shop but did not come into contact with the men.

It is understood that at least six staff were on duty at the time and that they managed to escape through a fire exit.

The men, who forced the locked double doors at the front of the supermarket initially took three trolleys of cigarettes and wheeled them back out to the waiting van but were forced to leave one after being disturbed.

Police followed them along Longsight Lane and South Drive before losing them. The van was last spotted driving towards Breightmet.

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 8565761 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.