WEST Kent Police are appealing for witnesses to a robbery today at the Pantiles Service Station in Tunbridge Wells.

A man entered the garage shop shortly after 9.30am, punched a member of staff and demanded money.

He left on foot with undetermined quantities of cash and cigarettes. The member of staff was not seriously injured.

The robber is described as white and about 5ft 9ins tall. He was was wearing a dark coloured hooded jacket, a scarf over his face, dark coloured trousers and white trainers or shoes. He was carrying a dark holdall.

Det Sgt Paul Cordier said: “If anyone saw anything at all suspicious we would like to hear from them. At the time of day the robbery occurred somebody must have seen the man in the area.”

Police are not linking this incident to any other at this stage of the enquiry. Less than a week ago, at around 7.10am on December 16, £200 of cash was stolen from the BP shop in London Road when a man forced his way into the shop and threatened staff with a crowbar.

Anyone with any information about today's incident is asked to contact West Kent Police on 01732 771055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.