A FATHER of seven told today about his terrifying ordeal at the hands of a masked raider who robbed his Selby petrol station at gunpoint.

Andrew Gibson, 39, was working at the Thrust service station, in Selby Road, Monk Fryston, at 4.55pm yesterday, when a robber brandished what was believed to be a handgun just 12 inches from his face.

The man demanded money from Mr Gibson, who was alone in the shop, and shouted verbal abuse. He then fled across the forecourt with a small amount of cash.

Mr Gibson said that he had remained calm throughout the experience. But once the raider had fled, he realised he was lucky to have escaped with his life.

He told the Evening Press: "If I had done anything to stop him I might have ended up becoming just another statistic. My four children and three step-children could have ended up without a father.

"I feel very nervous about going back into work, all I can see is this weapon pointing at me. You don't expect this to happen in broad daylight at a time when people are coming home from work."

The robber ran off into nearby Austfield Lane, and was believed to have jumped into a waiting getaway car which sped off.

Police believe the getaway vehicle may have been a maroon-coloured Ford Mondeo, which was seen leaving the area at speed around the time of the armed robbery.

The raider was described as being white, aged about 25, about 5ft 5in tall, with short light-coloured hair. He had a pair of chiffon tights or stockings pulled over his head and was wearing a blue baseball cap, faded blue jeans and a dark blue hooded tracksuit top with a white logo on it.

Detective Constable Peter Masterman, of Selby CID, said the police were very keen to catch the man, who he described as "dangerous".

He said: "We are very fortunate that armed robberies are few and far between in the Selby district."

Anyone who was in the area around 4.55pm and saw anyone acting suspiciously, or who has any information about the crime, should call detectives in Selby on 01904 669659.

Updated: 15:18 Tuesday, October 01, 2002