A GROUP of men robbed a Hampshire petrol station armed only with a catapult – and left with a handful of drinks and chocolate.

The men entered the Shell garage on the A31 near Ringwood on Wednesday night armed with the slingshot and one man approached the till before the group left with the confectionary.

A Shell spokesperson said the catapult had been used as ‘a distraction technique’ while a staff member added that a man ‘in his 20s’ came up to the till with the device in his hand.

Police are investigating the armed robbery that took place shortly before 10pm on Wednesday.

The station was closed early on Thursday morning as staff waited for police and forensic officers.

One staff member said: “A man came in straight to the till with a catapult. All he took is chocolate and when we spoke to police they classed it as armed robbery.”

When asked if they knew what had been taken, another member of staff said they were still trying to establish the details.

A Shell spokesperson said: “The catapult was used as a distraction technique.”

A statement from Hampshire Constabulary said: “A number of men took chocolate and drinks without paying. Call 101 quoting 44170436009.”