SEVERAL motorists blasted their horns as they drove past a service station which was being raided by three masked men, writes Becky Procter.

The incident happened at the Truemans Heath Service Station, Truemans Heath Lane, Hollywood, at about 6.25pm last Tuesday.

Two women assistants were working in the service station when three people, believed to be men, ran into the shop and demanded money and cigarettes.

One man jumped over the serving counter and began to throw cigarettes into a plastic dustbin the raiders had brought into the shop with them.

Police said the women feared for their safety and retreated from the counter as the three men helped themselves to cash from the till and cigarettes from the display.

Several passing motorists saw what was going on through the large glass windows and sounded their car horns as they drove past.

The women were not threatened with violence and were not hurt, apart from being shocked.

Police believe a further person was waiting outside on the forecourt, possibly in an old grey Rover saloon car.

The raiders, who were all wearing full-face dark coloured balaclava masks, fled with about £50 cash and £200 worth of cigarettes.

Police are appealing for any of the people who passed the garage, saw the incident or the men drive off from the scene to call Redditch police on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.