A POST office hit by thoughtless burglars who tried to steal a large amount of cash from the ATM has reopened just five days later.

Burglars targeted the post office in Bradford Road, Idle, in the early hours of Friday, January 11, ripping the front off of the branch's cash machine, and also smashing through the front door to get inside the shop.

Police said they believed a "large amount of cash had been taken".

When it closed, the Post Office apologised for any inconvenience caused by the closure, but it is now back open for customers.

A message from Idle Post Office said: "After days of hard work and cleaning, we aimed to reopen at Tuesday lunchtime.

"Cash withdrawals will be available from inside only for the time being. Thank you all for your patience and support."

Following the crime, Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle & Thackley) said: "It was shocking, there seems to have been an increase in burglaries and people stealing.

"The issue is that is the only ATM in the village since the banks closed, so we are left without a vital service.

"I hope the people who run the Post Office are OK. I hav spoken with police and we are waiting for action to be taken."