MASKED armed raiders locked a 62-year-old service station worker in a toilet before making off with £2,000 cash and £600 worth of telephone cards, writes Becky Procter.

The terrifying robbery happened at the Esso Hopwood Service Station, Redditch Road, at about 7am on Sunday shortly after a member of staff arrived to open the garage shop.

The man was grabbed from behind by two masked men, who forced him at gunpoint into the shop before locking him in a toilet.

A man walking his dog then arrived at the shop and asked for cornflakes before being told to go away by the cashier.

Dc Aslett, of Redditch CID, said: 'We are appealing for this man to come forward as he may have vital information.

'He is described as white, aged about 30, 5ft 10ins tall, of stocky build. He had short brown hair, walking a long haired black dog and may be local.'

At 7.30am the shop's assistant manager arrived and was also forced into the toilets.

Both men were threatened with the gun, described as a black automatic handgun.

The men were told to stay in the toilets and police believe the offenders may have escaped on a motorbike.

The gunman was described as either white with a tan or of Eastern European appearance, about 5ft 10ins tall, of muscular build.

He was wearing black leather trousers and jacket, black gloves and either a black or purple motorbike helmet.

The second man was described as either black of or mixed parentage, about 5ft 7ins tall, of slim build.

He was wearing black jeans, a black jacket, a black ski-type mask, black gloves and trainers.

Anyone with information can call Redditch CID on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.