WOULD-BE thieves broke into Tesco in the early hours of this morning.

The raiders tried to force up a shutter and smashed the front window at the supermarket in Westhoughton between 2am and 2.10am today.

They got into the Manchester Road store and made their way to the cigarette counter before being disturbed by the alarm sounding.

Nothing was stolen, and the intruders fled in an Audi.

No arrests have been made yet.

Police are also investigating an overnight break-in at a business in Little Lever.

It is not known whether the attempted break-ins are linked.

A police spokesman said: "Overnight there have been two reported crimes where offenders have stolen cash and a quantity of cigarettes activating alarms, they have also forced shutters on secure cabinets, damaged doors and windows in the process.

"The crimes occurred in Little Lever and Westhoughton.

"Please take appropriate precautions for your store security."