Police were today hunting two men who robbed a service station and may have also stolen petrol minutes before.

The men drove on to the forecourt of the south-bound Texaco garage near the A120 Ardleigh interchange early on Saturday.

They burst into the garage, on the Colchester-bound side, at about 12.30am and verbally threatened a cashier.

No weapons were seen and the 22-year-old cashier was left shocked but unharmed.

About £120 cash and 15 packets of cigarettes worth £60 were stolen during the raid.

The robbers made off in a red saloon car, possibly a Ford Orion.

About 45 minutes earlier, at 11.45pm, a similar car was driven away with £20-worth of unpaid petrol inside.

The first man is described as in his early-30s, 5ft 11ins tall, slim and wearing a black woollen hat, a green bomber jacket and possibly black tracksuit bottoms.

The other man was said to be about 30, 5ft 8ins tall, also wearing a black woollen hat and a beige jacket.

Information to DC Lambert, at Clacton CID, on 01255 221312.

Published Monday, January 6, 2003

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