A ROBBER brandishing a knife threatened a woman at a Runcorn petrol station.

A hooded villain entered a BP Service Station on Thomas Jones Way at 8am yesterday, reached over the counter and tried to open the till with a knife.

Police say the man then held the knife towards a female member of staff and demanded she opened the till.

The woman screamed for help and the offender turned and ran out of the store on Bridge Retail Park empty handed.

The offender was last seen cycling away from the garage in the direction of Victoria Road and York Place.

The suspect is described as white, around mid to late 50s, wearing a dark coloured jacket and gloves as well as a hat with his hood up and only his eyes were showing.

A yellow and blue scarf was wrapped tightly around his face and he had light jogging bottoms with black trainers.

The offender may also have been riding a mountain bike.

A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and has been released under investigation.

Detective Constable Phil Brown, of Runcorn CID, said: “Thankfully nobody was hurt during the attempt to steal from the till and our enquiries are continuing to find the man responsible.

“We’re keen to speak to anybody who may have seen a man matching this description. If you have any information please come forward by calling us on 101.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 38398. Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.