MASKED raiders escaped with more than £300 and a woman's car after a violent petrol station robbery.

The two men burst into the Burn Moor petrol station in Chester-le-Street at 8.30pm on Monday evening. While one jumped over the counter and threatened the cashier with a knife, the other confronted a 27-year-old woman, who had just paid for petrol.

The woman was pushed into a confectionery stand while the second man demanded the keys to her car, which was parked on the garage forecourt.

According to police, the terrified driver handed over the keys to her silver Ford Escort and then both men assaulted the cashier, leaving him with cuts and bruises and suspected cracked ribs, before making off with the notes.

The car, registration T428 LCA, was found abandoned about 200 yards away in Park View Terrace. The woman, who had been the only customer in the garage on Chester Road, was left badly shaken.

DS Tony Dunighan of Chester-le-Street CID described the incident as extremely serious. He said: "This was a violent robbery which left both victims badly shaken. At this stage it's unclear which direction the robbers approached the filling station or where they went after dropping the Ford Escort. It's possible there might be another vehicle at that location waiting for them."

The robbers both wore grey balaclavas. One wore a light-coloured training top with blue jeans and was about 5ft 6 to 5ft 8in tall. The other man wore dark clothing and was about 6ft to 6ft 2in.

Anyone with information should contact Chester-le-Street police on (0191) 3884311 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.