GARAGE cashier Mary Giles has spoken of her ordeal after she was robbed at knifepoint.

Mrs Giles, 66, was working at the Murco Garage in Oxford Road, Calne, when a man pushed her, threatened her with a knife and snatched about £60 from the till.

Mrs Giles, who lives close to the petrol station, said the incident had happened so quickly that the full extent of it did not sink in straight away.

"It was obviously a shock and I did keep my head together until I saw other people," said Mrs Giles, who has worked at the petrol station for four weeks. "It was serious. I saw the black handle of the knife and the blade was just touching me. It was very quick but obviously upsetting."

The robbery took place at about 9.30am on Tuesday. The thief strolled into the garage on three different occasions during a 20-minute period before pulling the knife on Mrs Giles.

He had aroused suspicion on the first visit to the garage when he was hanging around the display of crisps.

On the second occasion he asked to buy cigarettes but then admitted he had no money. When he came in the third time Mrs Giles had been sweeping the forecourt and thought he had returned with money for the cigarettes.

"He pushed me behind the counter and told me to open the till," said Mrs Giles. "I said I couldn't and he told me he had a knife and when I looked down I realised he had and it was being pushed into my stomach."

During the struggle Mrs Giles knocked the phone receiver from its handset and managed to quickly dial 999. The robber then cut the phone wire but police managed to trace the call.

Mrs Giles, who has worked in petrol stations for 17 years, went home for the afternoon to recover from the ordeal, but was back at work yesterday.

Jamie Punshon, who has the franchise for the garage, said he couldn't believe it when he heard of the robbery.

"It is a big relief that no-one was hurt. It is policy to hand over the money and I am glad Mary did, it is not worth injury or life for a few pounds," said Mr Punshon.

Police are talking to a 15-year-old in connection with the robbery.