HOODED burglars, who forced their way into Lidl supermarket in Devizes during the early hours of Saturday, had a lucky break when they found keys to a safe in an office drawer.

They had first tried to smash the safe but when it would not open they went into an adjoining office and found the keys.

The raiders then fled the store in London Road with £2,800.

Police say CCTV cameras captured the men, dressed in black and with their faces and heads covered, gaining entry through a side door behind the warehouse part of the building just after 2am.

It is understood they disabled the alarm system before breaking in and then went to an office where the safe was situated.

They tried to force open the safe but when this failed they searched another office and came across the keys which made their job simple.

Police do not know how the men escaped and are appealing for witnesses.

Police say the CCTV did not cover the men coming out of the building so they are not sure if there was a car parked outside or if anyone else was involved.

PC Steve Edwards said: "If any member of the public saw or heard anything suspicious during the early hours of Saturday morning near Lidl in Devizes, can they please contact us with any information that they may have.

"The individuals involved have taken a great deal of cash from the store and someone may have information which could be useful in our investigation."

The break-in was discovered by staff who arrived at 5.16am and rang police. The store remained closed to customers until noon.

A spokesman for Lidl said: "We can confirm that a break-in happened at our Devizes store. We are co-operating with police."

The store would not be drawn on why the safe keys were left in a drawer.

Anyone with information should contact police via 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.