POLICE are hunting an armed robber who targeted a petrol station on Teesside at the weekend.

The lone gunman threatened the assistant on at the BP garage, in Ormesby High Street, Middlesbrough, with what Cleveland Police believe was a shotgun.

A police spokesman said: "The assistant placed a small amount of cash from the till into a blue and white Bell's Store bag, which the offender brought with him. He then made good his escape going down Ladgate Lane into Pritchett Road.''

The suspect is described as being white, about 6ft 2in, and skinny, with a drawn face, high cheek bones, "a very big pointed, flat nose'', a pock-marked face and acne and aged between 30 and 35 years.

Anyone with information about the robbery on Saturday night is asked to contactCleveland Police on (01642) 301934 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.