A PETROL station worker has been robbed at knifepoint during his first night shift at the garage.

The masked raider threatened 22-year-old cashier Stuart Matthews with a Stanley knife while he was working at the Esso Service Station in Cheltenham Road, Evesham.

The thief grabbed £70, leaving Mr Matthews extremely shaken.

"I was a bit awe-struck, I thought 'oh no'," said Mr Matthews, of Sedgeberrow, near Evesham.

"He came in and made a comment about it being cold - it was absolutely freezing.

"Then he came towards me and I thought he wanted some fags, but he just pulled out a knife and said 'give us your money', so I it handed it over. It was only £70."

The raider turned on his heels and ran out towards the town centre.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the robbery, which happened at 3.10am on Saturday.

Mr Matthews was able to give police a description of the robber.

But the raider kept his face hidden by pulling his hooded top tight around his face.

"He may have also had a balaclava on," said Mr Matthews, who usually works at the Esso garage in Bishops Cleeve, near Cheltenham.

The thief was white, about 6ft 2in tall, of slim build, and was wearing navy tracksuit bottoms and possibly fingerless gloves. His tracksuit top was navy blue.

Det Con Dec Hynam, of Worcester police, said he wanted to speak to a taxi driver who bought fuel for his blue Honda Accord minutes before the armed raid.

He also wants to speak to a male customer refused fuel moments after the robbery.

Anyone with information should phone Worcester police on 01905 723888, quoting c/585381.