The hunt has been stepped up today for ramraiders who drove a car into an M27 service station before stealing a cash machine and fleeing the scene.

Emergency services have closed Rownham Services on the westbound side of the motorway following the incident, which happened shortly before 1am yesterday.

A hunt has been launched for the five men, who all had their faces covered.

Police say a white Transit-style fan and a dark-coloured Land Rover Defender were used in the raid.

The Land Rover was then driven into the station building before the group stole a cash machine and fled in the vehicles.

Hampshire Constabulary's Detective Sergeant Paul Selby said: “We would like to hear from anyone who has any information on what happened last night.

“If you were at the service station at the time, and haven’t yet spoken to us, then please get in touch as soon as possible. You may hold information that could prove vital to our investigation.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who thinks they saw these vehicles on the M27 and surrounding roads at around this time.”

Daylight revealed the full extent of the damage caused by the ram raid.

The entrance to the restaurant complex on the westbound side of the services is a mass of twisted metal and broken glass.

Police have sealed off part of the car park outside the front of the building.

Rownhams staff say the restaurant complex is likely to remain closed all day.

One employee said: "We can't open until we have doors in place but our main priority is to make the building safe."

Drivers arriving at Rownhams are using the Costa drive thru or walking through a tunnel under the motorway to reach the services on the eastbound side of the M27.

Anyone with information on the incident can call police on 101 and quote reference number 44170442823 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.