POLICE were last nighthunting a masked raider who tried to rob a garage at gunpoint.The man armed with a handgun and wearing a balaclava went into the Shell garage on Wherstead Road, Ispwich at around 6.

POLICE were last nighthunting a masked raider who tried to rob a garage at gunpoint.

The man armed with a handgun and wearing a balaclava went into the Shell garage on Wherstead Road, Ispwich at around 6.40pm and demanded cash from a staff member.

The lone cashier refused after a verbal challenge and the robber left empty handed on foot.

Police said the robber was male, white and aged about 30.

He was 5ft 9ins tall and medium to stocky build. He had curly brown to black hair and a chubby face. He wore a dark a Puffa style jacket, dark trousers and white trainers.

A spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary said: "A man went into the service station wearing a balaclava and produced what is believed to be a handgun and made a demand for money. However he left the premises empty handed."

He added that no one was hurt in the incident and no weapon was fired.

Any witnesses to the attempted armed robbery or a member of the public who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the incident should call Suffolk police on 01473613500.