DETECTIVES have renewed an appeal to the public to help them with their investigation, following a garage robbery in which a man was assaulted.

A group of men walked into the Jet filling station on the A181 at Wheatley Hill, east Durham, on Bank Holiday Monday, and began looking at the shelves. One of the men then asked for change for a £1 coin, but when the cashier opened the till, he tried to grab the money.

The 41-year-old cashier was assaulted as he struggled with two of the robbers, who then ran off with the cash.

Two men were arrested later in the evening, but were released on Tuesday pending further inquiries.

Police believe at least one other man was involved in the robbery.

It is the second theft at the garage in six months. In November, a man posing as a security officer stole more than £20,000. Staff had been expecting a Securitas driver and handed the bogus officer bank notes and coins in money bags.

Anyone who can help police with information on the latest robbery is asked to speak to Detective Constable Brian Roberts, or other members of Peterlee CID, on 0191-586 2621, or anonymously to CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111.