A BALACLAVA-CLAD robber hit a cashier over the head with a wooden bat before fleeing with around £100 at a Hampshire petrol station this morning.

Winchester police are now appealing for anyone with information about the robbery at the Murco station in Bar End Road.

The raider struck at 5.37am, entering the shop and demanding that the cashier open the till.

When the 26-year-old cashier did this, the suspect snatched the cash, hitting the cashier on the head with the bat.

He then ran off towards Winchester city centre. The victim, who has not been named, suffered a cut to the head and was taken to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital for treatment.

The suspect is described as white. He was wearing a balaclava, brown jacket and dark coloured trousers.

Acting Det Sgt Emma Barrow said: "We know that there were several people using the garage at this time. Some were in the station shop, others were filling their cars with petrol and one was going through the car wash.

"Thankfully, this type of incident is rare in the Winchester area, but was obviously very distressing for the victim. The people in the station may have valuable information and I would ask them to contact police as soon as possible."

Anyone with any information should contact police at Winchester CID on 0845 0454545 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.