DRUGS were stolen from a chemist's shop after a car smashed into its front door.

Three men ram-raided the shop on Station Road, Great Sankey, at 2.30am on Thursday, September 22.

They took the till and jars of diazepam tablets, which are used by people suffering from anxiety.

Gillian Costello, the owner and pharmacist, described how the front door was knocked off its hinges, windows were smashed and brickwork crumbled.

She said: "It took us all day to tidy up. Luckily we have a side door and were able to open the shop from there. They knew what they were looking for, so may have been here before."

Mrs Costello is now considering metal shutters and pavement bollards to protect her shop.

She said: "There are very few chemists without shutters but in the 19 years I've owned it, there has never been a reason to fit them here."

Police are appealing for witnesses. Inspector Brian Heywood said: "This is an isolated incident as the area doesn't appear to have been targeted previously. We would ask anyone who saw anything to contact PC Laura Murray on 01244 612627 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."