A QUICK-THINKING delivery driver foiled burglars who tried to smash their way into the Somerfield store in Malmesbury early today.

He blocked the entrance to the car park and dialled 999 after spotting hooded men armed with pickaxes and sledgehammers trying to break in through the windows when he arrived at 3.30am.

Store manager Richard Fillis praised the driver for his quick reaction.

"His response was excellent," he said. "He was amazed that they carried on at the time. They didn’t respond to him until he blocked the way out."

He explained the alarm had been activated, but the driver also called the police from his cab.

The three men jumped into a dark four-door BMW and escaped by driving over the kerb at the side of the store.

Police are examining CCTV footage.

Half an hour later witnesses saw two men attempting to break in to the Tesco store in Cricklade using an axe. They were also thought to be driving a BMW.

The incidents have been linked to a burglary at Crudwell where a black BMW saloon was stolen by thieves who went through an unlocked garage door, broke into a house and stole the keys from a table. It was reported at 6.25am.

The Somerfield store was the subject of a series burglaries two years ago.