Boss camps out to foil raiders

Would-be raiders who cut the wires of a filling station alarm to pave the way for a raid were foiled - when the garage owner camped out in the building.

Clive Ashton spent two days and nights living rough at Ashton and Son Garage, Four Crosses, Llanymynech, after the alarm tampering was discovered.

Now police in Welshpool have appealed for anyone who may have seen someone lying on the floor cutting the master cable behind the petrol pricing stand, at about 10.30pm on Sunday, to come forward.

Ann Ashton, who owns the garage with her husband, said they were alerted by the burglar alarm company when the alarm went down.

Mr Ashton then spent 48 hours living on site until the alarm system was fixed.

"My husband had to sleep over at the garage as we were afraid someone would try and break in again as we had no alarm.

"I was ill so stayed at home while Clive slept at the garage. It wasn't too comfortable for him and he obviously got little sleep."

And the cutting of the master cable also knocked out the garage's telephone system - so the store could not take any credit card payments.

"This was not very good for trading as most people's method of payment at the garage is by card," said Mrs Aston.

Mrs Ashton said it was lucky no damage was caused to the building and the master cable has been repaired.

"Neighbours across the road to the garage did not see anything as it was too dark and many had their curtains closed at the time. We hope someone will come forward with any information."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Welshpool police station on 08453 302000.