PETROL station cashier James Winterton says he is lucky to be alive after confronting a knife-wielding thief.

Mr Winterton, 30, was on duty at the Texaco filling station in New Park Street, Devizes, at 2pm on Saturday when the drama happened.

He heard the storeroom's fire exit door click and saw a man walking across the forecourt carrying a black bin liner which appeared full of items.

Mr Winterton became suspicious and went outside to confront the man. He stopped him outside The Crown pub and saw that there were cigarettes in the bin liner.

Mr Winterton, a former rugby player, grabbed hold of the man and while they were struggling the offender produced a large knife.

Mr Winterton, who lives in Bourton near Bishops Cannings, said: "The knife was 12 inches long and was like a carving knife. It was a huge thing and the man was swinging it at me.

"I held him around his neck and chest and he was lunging round the back of me. He lunged at me six or eight times with the knife.

"He said 'you'd better let me f go or I will stick it in you.' I thought 'this is ridiculous, I am not going to die over stupid cigarettes.' I told him I was going to let him go and told him not to stab me."

Mr Winterton, who is 6ft 5inches tall and weighs 20 stone, pushed the man away and ran towards the police station but collided with the sign outside the Motorway Tyres shop. He banged his head, injured his left knee and bruised his ribs.

He picked himself up and ran into the police station but the thief had got away by the time police officers started to search for him. The thief left behind some cigarettes but he got away with a large quantity.

Saturday had been Mr Winterton's day off but he volunteered to work because the filling station was short-staffed. He even completed his shift after the incident happened.

Mr Winterton moved to this area from Slough four months ago. He said: "Slough is a rough place and you expect this sort of thing to happen in Slough not Devizes. I'm just glad the knife didn't go in me.

"It was a serious knife, not a flick knife. The situation changed so suddenly from me being in control and intending to get him to the police station to him wielding the knife and threatening me."

He returned to work at the filling station yesterday. Mr Winterton had already handed in his notice before the incident happened because he is setting up a vinyl graphics business.

Filling station manager Jackie Young said: "James was brave in tackling the man but that is typical of James. He's a gentle giant and he puts himself out to help others."

Inspector Pete Bowerbank of Devizes Police praised Mr Winterton's actions. He said: "Mr Winterton did the right thing in letting the offender go. If someone is that determined to steal something and is armed with a weapon there is no point in trying to have a go. It is just not worth it for the sake of some property."

Police are appealing for witnesses and said the forecourt was busy at the time of the incident.

Police believe the knifeman had an accomplice, as a man in the filling station shop tried to stop Mr Winterton leaving the shop to confront the man.

The offenders drove off in a small vehicle along New Park Street and turned right towards Bath Road before turning off towards Chippenham.

An off duty police officer spotted the vehicle and followed it but lost it. The police helicopter was scrambled but the vehicle escaped.

Anyone with information can contact Salisbury CID on (01722) 411444 ext 525 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.