CIGARETTE thieves who bungled a village shop burglary are being hunted by police.

Three men broke into the Central Stores shop in Martley, near Worcester, at about 12.45am yesterday.

Going behind the shop’s counter, they threw cigarettes from a cabinet into a duvet cover and left.

They dashed past the post office in Berrow Green Road and were spotted by a witness heading for a small 4x4 which was waiting for them in the same street.

Sergeant Sarah Kent, from West Mercia Police, said: “When they got to the car, the duvet cover containing the stolen cigarettes split, spilling the contents all over the road.

“We are unsure as yet exactly how much the offenders were able to get away with.

“The car was last seen heading towards Stourport-on-Severn on the B4197.”

She said several vehicles drove through Martley just before and after the burglary happened with police keen to hear from the drivers, and ask if they can add vital clues to the investigation.

Anyone with information should call the police on 0300 3333000 and ask for Sgt Kent, quoting 17/S/130612 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.