CAMBOURNE S only pub re-opened yesterday (Tuesday) after it was ram-raided less than two weeks after it opened its doors. After waiting eight years for a pub, the people of Cambourne faced more frustration as repairs were made to the rear of the building,

CAMBOURNE'S only pub re-opened yesterday (Tuesday) after it was ram-raided less than two weeks after it opened its doors.

After waiting eight years for a pub, the people of Cambourne faced more frustration as repairs were made to the rear of the building, which was hit by a 4x4 vehicle.

A cash machine containing several hundred pounds was stolen.

Police were called to the Monkfield Arms, in Cambourne High Street, at 2am last Thursday.

A police spokesman said a dark pick-up style 4x4 mounted the pavement and reversed into the building.

"We were called to the pub in Cambourne by the landlord, who had been woken by the sound of the pub alarm," he said.

"He went downstairs to find that the pub had been ram-raided and a cash machine had been removed.

"A 4x4 containing four people was seen driving away from the pub."

The police helicopter was called out but failed to find the vehicle.

The Monkfield Arms, which opened on Monday, September 11, is managed by Pathfinder Pubs.

Landlord of the family-orientated pub is Martin Howard, who used to run the Priory Centre, in St Neots.

Until the Monkfield Arms opened, the only licensed premises in Cambourne had been the Cambridge Belfry Hotel.

Cambourne parish clerk John Vickery said: "It was such a shame. The break-in was a real blow to the local community as the pub is popular."

At the time of going to press, no-one had been arrested in connection with the incident.

INFORMATION: Anyone with information is asked contact police on 0845 4564564 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.