Detectives are linking a string of armed robberies carried out at Worthing garages in the last three weeks.

In the latest robbery a man burst into the BP garage in Brighton Road at 8.45pm on Saturday.

He demanded cash from the terrified cashier and made off with £50.

Police are now linking the robbery with four others in the town since December 28 and are appealing for help in catching the gunman, who operates alone.

The first robbery took place at the Murco garage in Sompting Road on December 28, just before 9.20pm. There were two raids at the Texaco garage in Heene Road within the space of four days earlier this month.

The man thought to be behind the attacks has been described as white, in his early 20s, and 5ft 7in to 5ft 11in tall.

He wore an off-white, cream or beige jacket with a hood, a tartan scarf, and dark trousers and shoes. He sometimes has a pink plaster on his face.

Detective Constable Amanda Lawrence of Worthing police said: "We are appealing for witnesses. I would particularly like to speak to a motorist who was contacted the police by phone to come forward. The motorist was a customer at the Texaco garage on January 4 just after this offence had taken place.

"The motorist was unable to pay the assistant and left the money on the counter. I wish to urgently speak to this person."

Anyone with information should call the incident management centre at Worthing on 0845 6070999.