Staff were forced to hide in a safe room after a man armed with a knife stormed a petrol station in Bristol.

One person has been taken to hospital after leaving the petrol station in Hengrove Way, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Armed police and a negotiator were called to the scene the force said.

In a statement police urged members of the public to avoid the area.

The force said: “Police are at the scene of an incident which has led to the closure of Hengrove Way, Bristol, today, Thursday 9 September.

“A man armed with a knife is inside the shop of the petrol station.

“Staff members are uninjured within a safe room and in contact with officers.

“One person has left the scene and gone to hospital with injuries not believed life-threatening.

“Armed officers and a negotiator have been deployed to try to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

“Members of the public are urged to avoid the area.”

Officers were called at 7.36am on Thursday and were at the scene by 7.41am, police added.