MASKED men are being hunted after they robbed a petrol station.

The robbery happened at the Jet garage in Bowburn, near Durham, at around 12.15am today (Monday, November 30).

A female shop worker was at the rear of the premises when she was confronted by four men wearing balaclavas.

The men left with a quantity of cash after taking the safe.

The woman’s car was stolen during the robbery and found abandoned nearby at Grand View.

The car is a silver Vauxhall Astra registration number KH07 USV.

The safe stolen from the garage was found near where the Vauxhall Astra was abandoned.

Detective Inspector Dunny McCubbin, of Durham Police, said: “This was obviously a terrifying incident for the woman and we would urge anyone who has any information either about the robbery or the abandoned car to get in contact.”

Anyone with information should call Durham Police on the non-emergency number, 101m quoting incident number 0004 of 30/11/2015.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.