POLICE in Winchester are hunting a man who attempted to rob a petrol station but was forced to flee empty-handed.

He pulled a knife on a 22-year-old member of staff at the Esso garage on Andover Road and when the man refused to hand over any cash he tried to force open the till.

When that was unsuccessful he ran away, leaving the employee shaken but unharmed.

According to police, the man they are looking for in connection with the Sunday night incident is white, in his mid to late 20s, 5ft 4in, of heavy build, with a shaven or bald head.

He was wearing black jeans and a jacket believed to have been of a suede material.

Anyone with any information should contact Detective Constable Nick Henshaw at Winchester's North Walls Police Station on 0845 045 4545.