A Co op store has been given the green light to repair damage done by ram raiders last year.

The shop along Earls Colne High Street had a cash machine ripped from a wall by a gang of masked men.

Extensive damage was caused to the store and the East of England Co op were forced to apply for planning permission before it could repair its store because it is a grade II listed building.

Braintree Council has now approved the new plans, which will see the cash machine moved inside the store and a window panel put up in its place on the outside.

A planning a design statement submitted by the East of England Co op prior to the approval read: "Following the ram-raiding incident where the previous ATM was stolen, causing damage to the store, the proposed works will “make good” the shop to match adjacent shopfront panels using a combination of painted timber, steelwork and new glazing."

Police are continuing to investigate the ram-raid at the Earls Colne Co op store on September 4, 2017.

No arrests have yet been made.