THIEVES drove off with £60,000 worth of cars in a raid on a village garage. Police are today hunting the gang of garage busters after finding three of the vehicles abandoned.

One of the recovered cars is believed to have run out of petrol as it was driven away. It was found opposite St Cadoc's Church, Raglan. Another car was found crashed into a tree.

The raiders stole nine cars, eight of them Fords, after breaking into Central Garage in Raglan and stealing the vehicle keys early yesterday.

The theft was spotted at about 5.20am, when a resident on his way to work spotted one of the cars parked at the side of a road.

By the time the garage owners were awakened to investigate, the vehicle had disappeared.

Garage proprietor Nigel Watkins (pictured) said: "Nobody seemed to hear a thing. They smashed the window of the office and managed to avoid setting off the alarm. All the keys to the vehicles were stolen, even our breakdown truck.

"Two sets of car keys were later found next to the bin across the road. Only one car has been left on the forecourt and we're wondering if it's because they couldn't get it to start."

PC Peter Prosser, of Raglan police, said the garage was probably targeted. He added: "In Raglan it is quite unusual to have a car stolen. Obviously a gang may have been involved as you would need at least six people to drive the cars." Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 01633 838111.