BUNGLING ram-raiders made a first class blunder when they stole a cash box from a Worcester supermarket - only to find it was full of stamps.

The thieves, who caused £14,000 damage in the raid, came unstuck after they used a stolen Toyota Corolla to smash through the main doors of Tesco in St Peter's.

They snatched the box and fled, but their fate was sealed when they found their haul was a bundle of 27p stamps.

Today the supermarket's doors were still boarded up following Sunday's raid, which happened at around 6pm.

But store manager Chris Phillips, who revealed the stamps were worth hundreds of pounds, said staff were following the letter of the law to make sure shoppers were unaffected.

"You wouldn't expect this sort of thing in Worcester," he said.

"This is the first time this kind of incident has happened in the 13 years the store has been open.

"But to me the most important thing was no staff were hurt.

"We're now waiting for the doors to be replaced as they will have to be specially manufactured, but the store is still open as usual."

Mr Phillips praised Worcester police for their prompt response after the raiders triggered the store's alarm.

DC Iain Leigh, of Worcester police, appealed for anyone who may have seen the thieves, described as two white males in their early 20s, or the stolen silver T-registration car, to contact him.

"This is an isolated incident within the area but we are making enquiries with forces in other areas in connection with the raid," he said.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen something suspicious or knows anything about the incident."

Information can be passed to DC Leigh on 01905 723888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.