A GARAGE boss is stepping up security after a young cashier was hit by a metal pole during an armed robbery last night.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the robbery at the Texaco filling station on Marlborough Road that left the trainee cashier, believed to be in his early 20s, hospitalised with injuries to his head.

He had only been working at the garage for less than a week.

The robbery took place at around 9.40pm when a slim white man wearing a black motorcycle helmet entered the station and threatened the cashier with a metal pole. The robber was also wearing a dark-coloured hoodie, grey t-shirt, grey jogging bottoms and white trainers.

When the cashier opened the till the robber hit him with the pole before making off with about £260 from the till.

The cashier was taken to the Great Western Hospital with cuts to his head.

Petrol station manager Raj Thankarajh said his employee although recovering, was severely shaken by his ordeal.

“He was really shocked, really scared. It was a shock because nothing like this has ever happened before at our station,” Raj said.

“It’s been a huge shock to the team here too, this happened when it was still daylight and someone just walked in and could have killed one of my staff members. It doesn’t bear thinking about.

“I don’t know what was going through this person’s head but it could have been so much worse, I’m thankful it wasn’t and that my employee is okay."

Raj said he will now be doubling his staff members on evening shifts to step up their safety.

“Part of me can’t believe this has happened because it is so awful so I want to make sure staff members feel safe. People in this area are so nice and always so friendly, nothing remotely like this has ever happened. I’m just stunned by it all," he said.

Wiltshire Police are investigating the incident.

Detective constable Jared Yalden said: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have heard or seen anything suspicious or anyone acting suspiciously in this area, at this time.

"There is a busy road which runs past this service station, someone may have seen something around this time - if that is you, please call me."

If you can help with enquiries contact DC Jared Yalden on 101 or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.