A GANG left empty-handed after attempting to empty a cashpoint in Wick by beating it with crowbars.

An unknown number of people attacked the machine outside a garage in London Road using the crowbars and blow-torches in the early hours of Saturday morning.

They closed off the entrance and exit to the Texaco garage using cones found at the scene.

After spending an estimated 40 minutes at the garage, the would-be thieves did not manage to break into the cashpoint, but they did cause considerable damage.

Manager Angela Gwyther told the Gazette she was shocked by the attack.

She said: "I found it had happened when I came into work on Saturday morning. Nothing like this has happened before during the two years I have been here. It was a bit of a shock."

She said the gang had cut off the electricity to the garage so police officers were unable to find anything on CCTV footage.

She added: "I couldn't get inside because the power had been cut. It is the inconvenience of it really, and we don't know if we will get another cashpoint." Ms Gwyther said the cashpoint had been taken away and that no other damage was caused to the garage premises.

Police have launched an appeal for information about the attack, which took place about 1am on Saturday. They believe that because of the amount of time the offenders spent at the scene, someone must have seen something.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Staple Hill Police Station on 0845 4567000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.