A WOMAN was threatened with a kitchen knife in a robbery on a petrol station.

The shop assistant was alone behind the counter at Texaco, Burnley Road, Whitegate, Burnley, when the man arrived at around 9.30pm on Friday.

He held the knife to her and demanded cash from the till, which she handed over.

He then ran away towards Scott Street, chased by a customer who had just drawn up at the petrol station forecourt.

Police have asked residents nearby to check their wheelie bins, gardens and back yards for discarded clothing, or the knife.

They arrested and questioned a local man on Saturday but later released him on police bail.

Detectives are also studying CCTV footage from the shop's security cameras.

Detective Constable Lynda Ashworth, leading the investigation, said there had been no-one else in the shop when the robbery happened, but that passers-by may have seen the attacker.

Officers are also hoping to trace the driver of a blue saloon car seen near Scott Street. They are investigating whether the vehicle was involved in the incident but appealed for the occupants to come forward so that they could be eliminated from inquiries.

Detective Constable Ashworth said: "If anyone does find an odd bit of clothing, or a weapon, on their property that wasn't there before Friday night then try to handle it as little as possible and give us a call."

Witnesses can contact Burnley CID on 01282 472144.