DRIVERS chatted to a garage attendant as they bought petrol in Morecambe without realising he was being threatened by masked robbers hiding under the counter. Three raiders, one carrying a crow bar, forced the lone cashier to serve two customers who arrived at the Westgate Garage while the robbery was in progress. Det Chief Insp Colin Maloney of Lancaster Police said: "These drivers must have noticed that the demeanour of the attendant was odd to say the least."

He wants the customers who visited John Wilding Ltd's Banbury Garage between 4.30am and 5am on Tuesday to come forward. One is thought to have been driving a taxi and the other a red Fiesta.

The pump attendant's ordeal began when he returned from collecting cleaning equipment in the back of the shop.

He was confronted by a man in a black ski mask and blue boiler suit who police believe had stowed himself in the garage shop before the doors were closed at midnight. The raider waited until the coast was clear to pounce on his victim.

Two accomplices were let in using the shop's keys while the attendant, a Morecambe man in his late 40s, was told to stay on the floor.

The three men, all similarly dressed, broke into the floor safe using cutting equipment and stole a substantial amount of cash.

Before they left, one of the robbers punched the shop attendant about the head. He was not badly injured but police say he was extremely shocked after the incident.

If you have any information about this crime call Lancaster Police on (01524) 63333.

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