A FEMALE cashier working the night shift at a petrol garage was forced to hide in a back room after ram-raiders struck (Lee Winter writes).

The terrifying incident unfolded at about 2.50am today at the Texaco Star service station at Ashford Road, Lenham, near Maidstone.

The member of staff had seconds to react after spotting a red Ford Escort with three men inside hurtling towards the locked doors of the 24-hour garage shop.

It smashed through the doors with two hooded men jumping out and running inside. The cashier managed to lock away in the staff office.

The robbers, believed to be unarmed, helped themselves to cash from the till and a quantity of cigarettes before escaping.

Det Sgt Fiona Mattholie, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are appealing for anyone who saw this incident to get in touch with us. It was obviously a very frightening experience for the member of staff.

"We believe the car would have been suffered damage on the near side wing as a result of the impact.”

CCTV tapes are now being examined by area crime detectives in the hope the men involved can be identified. The amount of cash and value of cigarettes stolen has not been disclosed.

Both robbers are described as white and one was wearing a balaclava. The other man was wearing a blue hooded top and a white baseball cap with his face partly covered with a scarf.

The cashier was unable to get a good look at the third man involved. He remained out of sight.

A Texaco spokesman said the safety of its staff and customers were of paramount importance to the business. He said: "We would like to praise the action of the member of staff on duty at the time who acted quickly to alert police and then ensured that her safety was not compromised."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Sgt Mattholie on 01622 608182 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.