A MASKED man is being hunted by police after an attempted robbery at a Cwmbran service station at the weekend.

The man, wielding a knife, entered Hypark Service Station in Avondale Road just after 9.30pm on Saturday and demanded cash.

He threatened the lone young female cashier but left empty-handed after an automated alarm system was invoked.

No one was hurt during the incident, but the cashier is currently on leave from her job and was too traumatised to talk to the Argus about the incident.

Now police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Rory Wearing of Cwmbran division said: "This is a very serious offence and we are keen to catch this man. Anyone who might have seen anything suspicious or know anything about this man should contact us as soon as possible."

The attempted robber is described as white, of medium build, 5ft 9ins tall and aged about 30. He had a local accent.

The was wearing a stocking over his face, a black hooded sweatshirt with a distinctive white line through the centre of the hood. He was also wearing dark trousers with a white band on each side.

* Anyone with any information about the incident should call Cwmbran CID on 01633 838111.