A PETROL station was forced to close after an alleged theft.

The Lindow Co-op petrol station on Altrincham Road shut their doors and were only able to serve customers through a security hatch on Monday.

A Co-op spokesman said: “The Co-op store on Altrincham Road closed for a short time on Monday afternoon due to an incident of shoplifting in which the police were called. It reopened later that day to serve the local community.”

One motorist said: "I pulled in at the garage to grab a sandwich and found the doors locked.

"There was a big queue of people. We had to stand at the night serving hatch while staff passed out your items and you paid for your petrol.

"I wanted two coffees, a sandwich and crisps. The poor staff were running round trying to find what you wanted."