A cash machine in Flackwell Heath was "blown up" by robbers in the early hours of the morning.

Residents near Common Road reported hearing a “huge” noise at around 3.20am on Thursday morning.

Thames Valley Police have confirmed they were called to a robbery in the road between 3.20am and 3.30am.

Officers believe that a gas explosion damaged the freestanding ATM, which is near to the Village Barber’s. 

An eyewitness who lives around 50 metres away from the cash machine said she heard a bang and went to the window to see what was going on.

She said: “I saw a car come out the wrong way from Common Road without having its lights on. It turned left towards Wooburn Green and when another car went past it, it turned its lights on.”

Police were still on the scene for much of Thursday morning, with the machine being cordoned off and a road closure in place.

A TVP spokesman said officers are still establishing whether any cash has been taken.

It is not the first time that a cash machine in Common Road has been attacked.

In January 2009, a 15-tonne digger ploughed through a bank, the Post Office and a nearby Chinese takeaway in a botched ram raid attack.

At the time, witnesses reported seeing masked men armed with axes securing the area while the digger rammed the bank.

However, the raiders left the scene without the cash point.

If anyone has any information about this morning's incident that could help police with their investigation, call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

To give information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.