Police are appealing for witnesses to the raid, which took place at a BP garage on the eastbound services at around 3.35am on Saturday.

Police say the three robbers entered the petrol station with covered faces and took cash from the tills and safe and a large quantity of cigarettes. They then made off in a black Jeep Cherokee 4x4.

The first robber was wearing a black balaclava, a green and brown gilet, a dark green jumper, blue and grey gloves, dark blue jogging bottoms with a navy line down the side of the leg and a black baseball cap.

The second was wearing a black balaclava, black long sleeved top, grey gloves, black trousers, and a black baseball cap.

And the third was wearing a black long sleeved top with the hood up, grey trousers and black gloves.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.