A man armed with a machete-style knife demanded cash at a service station in Telford. The robber reached over the counter at the Mound Way Service Station in Madeley.

He grabbed money from the till in the raid yesterday afternoon.

Staff locked the door at the BP petrol station in Parkway to stop the robber escaping but opened it when he started kicking at it to get out at about 4.30pm.

The robber fled towards some nearby houses in the Woodside direction and is believed to have stolen at least £200.

Staff had at first not believed the man was serious and laughed off his threat until he brought out the weapon.

Telford police spokesman Chris Ammonds said today the man had gone the petrol station shop as another customer was leaving.

He said: “He approached the counter and made a gesture. He then produced a weapon out of his jacket. The till was still open. He reached over and took some money from the till.

“While that was going on the door was secured. The man began to attack the door to get out. The staff opened the door for him.”

There were two male members of staff in the service station at the time but no-one is believed to have been injured.

The robber was aged about 25 to 30, about 6ft tall with an athletic-type build.

The man was possibly wearing black tracksuit trousers, a blue cap and a black jacket with a blue hood.

Anyone with information about the robbery should contact Telford police on 08457 444888 or the confidential Crimestoppers number on 0800 555111.