BURGLARS used a sledgehammer to smash their way into a post office to steal £3,000-worth of cigarettes in the early hours of this morning (Monday, January 23).

They grabbed hundreds of packets of tobacco in the raid that lasted just 45 seconds at Bishop's Hull Stores, Post Office and Butchers'.

Shop owner Tom Parker was "angry and upset" by the theft, but added he was most worried that the theft had "traumatised" his two young children.

CCTV captured two men walking up to the premises at 3.35am carrying recycling boxes and a sledge hammer.

"They walked through the village and the guy with the boxes pointed at where to hit the door, which the other one did with the sledge hammer five times to get in," said Mr Parker.

"They knew exactly where the cigarettes were and were out in 45 seconds.

"They fled towards the church down through the village, potentially getting into a car or making their way on foot."

The damaged door has been temporarily repaired, while Mr Parker plans to replace it with one with reinforced steel bars.

His children, aged eight and six, were woken by the noise of the break in.

He added: "I'm obviously angry, upset and tired.

"But I'm worried most about my children. They were woken and were upstairs listening to it.

"They're really quite traumatised and couldn't get back to sleep.

"They've been quite emotional, asking lots questions such as, 'Are they coming back? Why would someone do that?'

"It's not what we want to explain to them.

"I don't know how they're going to react going forward.

"Taking them to school this morning, I was telling them, 'It's not going to happen again' and 'There are horrible people in this world'.

"I just hope they're OK. My wife's a bit scared, but she's pretty tough."

Police are carrying out enquiries and have appealed to villagers for CCTV and doorbell footage to assist their investigation.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "We were called at around 3.30am today following reports of a burglary from a post office in Bishop's Hull.

"Officers attended the scene and a quantity of cigarettes were stolen and damage to the building was also reported.

"Two unknown men had made off from the scene."

Anyone with any footage or who recalls seeing or hearing anything suspicious should call police on 101 and quote reference 5223017253.