Christchurch police are hunting an armed robber who held up a city petrol station this afternoon.
The man entered a Mobil service station on Creyke Rd in Ilam at 1.50pm and presented a firearm.
He demanded cash from the attendant who handed over money from the cash register.
The man left on foot towards the intersection of Creyke Rd and Ilam Rd, police say.
The man is described as Caucasian, approximately 5ft 10 (178cm) tall, with brown beard and wearing a brown knitted hat, dark blue overalls and black shoes.
The Mobil petrol station is situated in a busy block of shops near the University of Canterbury.
Police are appealing to any motorists or people in the area at the time who may have seen the man or who recognise him from the photograph to contact Police on (03) 363 7400 or the Christchurch Police Facebook page or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or their website www.crimestoppers-nz.org.