Robbers strike at petrol station

Armed robbers stole a significant amount of cash from a security van at a Staffordshire petrol station.

Police said the men struck at the Tesco Extra station in Baths Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, during the morning.

The raiders, wearing black balaclavas, were carrying crow bars. They left in a silver Audi which was later found on fire behind a nearby Pizza Hut.

Security guards with the van were not hurt. Police are looking at links with a raid at Lloyds TSB in Longton.

A spokesman said it was too early to say whether the robbery was linked to the armed robbery last Thursday but it was one of several lines of inquiry.