An armed robber wearing a plastic animal mask threatened a petrol cashier with a knife before demanding the filling station’s takings.

The employee, a young man about to finish his nightshift at Guiseley’s White Cross petrol station, handed over some coins but the robber insisted on notes before grabbing them and fleeing on foot.

The incident occurred on Bradford Road around 5.45am yesterday.

The manager of the BP station, who did not want to be named, said the cashier had just put the morning papers on the shelves when the masked man entered.

She said: “It was terrifying for him. Something like this is horrific – especially when you’re confronted with a knife.”

The robber, who was wearing a mask believed to be in the shape of a lion’s face, is described as white, around 5ft to 5ft 4in tall, of average build, wearing a black top and either black or dark-blue tracksuit bottoms that were muddy from the knee down.

Detective Inspector Simon Atkinson, of North West Leeds CID, said: “We are determined to catch the person responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers on 0845 6060606.