A MAN walked away with the takings of a petrol station after threatening a female member of staff and a customer with a canister of CS gas.

The man who stole the cash had walked into the petrol station in Prescot Road, St Helens, at about 4.10pm on Friday, July 17, asking for water.

He left the shop after getting the water and then returned minutes later holding a black canister. He placed his hand on the shoulder of the customer in the shop and said: "This is CS gas. Nobody will get hurt, just give me the notes."

After the man had demanded the money several times, the terrified shop assistant was forced to open the till and give him the takings, before he walked out of the shop.

The robber is described as 6ft, with collar-length dark hair and a long fringe. He was clean shaven, spoke with a Liverpool accent and was wearing a blue T-shirt and denim jeans.

ANYONE able to help police with their inquiries can contact DC Mike Bowes at St Helens Police Station on 0151 777 6064, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.