POLICE are hunting two men after a cigarette raid at a village newsagent.

The men, who were both wearing dark clothing, smashed through a window at Martins in West Street, Portchester.

They made off with the goods towards the library at the top of the precinct.

Shop workers alerted the police at 5.15am this morning when they arrived for work.

A cordon was put up around the shop and officers stayed at the scene for five hours.

One Daily Echo reader, Luke Ferrans, said he saw the police activity.

The 31-year-old Southampton City Council worker from Kenwood Road, Portchester, said: "I was walking to the train station at about 8am and saw the police cordon around the shop.

"I think someone must have robbed it over night."

Police are now searching for two men in connection with the burglary and examining shop CCTV footage.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at about 5.15am this morning following a burglary at Martins newsagents in West Street, Portchester, which happened at 2.45am.

“Two men have stolen cigarettes after entering the premises via a smashed pain of glass next to the main entrance.

“The men were then seen heading off in the direction of the library at the top of the precinct.”

Police are now appealing for anyone with information to call them on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.