A CASHIER has described the terrifying moment a New Forest petrol station was robbed at gunpoint for the third time in under a year.

Ernst Gruenfeld was working at the Q8 petrol station on the A337 near Lymington when he was confronted by a masked raider brandishing a gun.

Mr Gruenfeld, 48, of Lymington, was forced to hand over a quantity of cash from the till.

He said: "I was alone in the garage shop when a man came in and demanded money. I wasn't going to argue with someone holding a gun.

"It was a terrifying experience. You're always hearing about these things happening elsewhere and when it occurs to you it really brings it home.

"The whole thing happened so quickly and was all over in about 30 seconds.

"It was totally unexpected and left me feeling angry. I'm not going to stop working at the garage - I don't see why I should."

The incident comes just two weeks after it was revealed that gun crime in the UK is continuing to rise.

According to official figures, the number of offences involving firearms increased by almost three per cent, to 10,250, in the 12 months to March.

The first of the three armed robberies at the Q8 garage occurred last December. Three months later, a man brandishing a revolver burst into the shop and made off with £40 from the till. Police believe villains target the garage because of its isolated position.

The latest robbery occurred last Saturday at 7pm. As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo, police need to trace potential witnesses, including the drivers of a Ford Transit van and a small dark-coloured hatchback. Detectives are not saying how much money was stolen in the raid.

The gunman was white and 5ft 8in but his face was hidden by a plastic Hallowe'en mask with purple markings.

He was wearing a dark hooded top and black jogging bottoms with broad white piping.

Information to Hythe CID on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.