Two men used a sledgehammer to smash up and ransack a jewellers in Marlow in the early hours of this morning.

Thames Valley Police say a white Vauxhall Corsa was driven into the front of Fullard Fine Jewellery in Spittal Street at around 2.40am.

Two men, both wearing dark clothing, are thought to have taken part in the burglary with one remaining in the vehicle as the other entered the jewellers.

Shop owners Neil and Sian Fullard told Bucks Free Press that the men completely cleaned out three large cabinets and damaged the front window fittings beyond repair.

“We’ve been here for years and this is the first time we have had any sort of problem,” said Mr Fullard.

“We understand that with the business we are in you do have this sort of risk.”

Mrs Fullard added: “We have all the alarms and security settings in place but we can’t legislate for someone smashing through the window with a car.”

“But we would really like to thank everyone in the community for being so supportive.

“The police were fantastic as well. They were here within five minutes and stayed with us until the afternoon.”

The couple insisted that they will repair the damage and continue to run the business in the area.

Det Con Caroline Timmis, of Local CID based at Wycombe Police Station, said: “We are investigating a burglary at a jewellers in which an old-style Vauxhall Corsa was driven into the building. We believe it to be the original Corsa design.

“It would have been damaged after being driven off from the scene.

“I would like to speak to anybody who has any information about this incident or who has seen a vehicle matching that description.” Anyone with information can contact Det Con Caroline Timmis via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

If you don't want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.