TWO men who robbed petrol station kiosks at gunpoint have been jailed for a total of 12 years.

Paul Sharrocks and James Clarke wore dark glasses and brandished an imitation gun when they burst into two petrol stations and demanded cash.

In the second attack, Sharrocks grabbed hold of a pensioner and threatened to "blow his legs off" if the cashier did not hand over more money.

The men committed the robberies because they were desperate for cash to feed their heroin addiction. Both men were caught when police stopped Clarke for driving while disqualified and realised that he had been involved in the robberies.

Paul Sharrocks, aged 26, of Ashworth Lane, Astley Bridge, and James Clarke, aged 27, of Pixmore Avenue, Hall i'th' Wood, were sentenced at Bolton Crown Court.

Both men were charged with two robberies at petrol stations on June 9 and 10 this year where cash was stolen. Clarke asked for two other robberies from shops with an imitation firearm to be taken into consideration.

Judge John Roberts said that vulnerable people such as petrol station attendants had to be protected from robbers who terrified them and threatened to use a gun.

He jailed Clarke for a total of seven years and Sharrocks, who was of previous good character, for five years.

The court heard that the first incident happened at the Elite Service Station on Chorley Old Road. A total of £80 in cash was stolen. The next day cash was stolen at gunpoint when Sharrocks went into the Total Service Station on Bury Road, Breightmet.

The frightened assistants handed over £300 in cash.

Later the same day, Clarke was stopped by police while driving a Citroen Saxo on Tonge Moor Road in Bolton. Other officers called to the scene interviewed both men about the robberies.

Sharrocks told police that Clarke had got rid of the gun. Clarke later took them to the spot where he had dumped the gun and clothing used in the robberies.