Three escape after robbing lorry

A lorry driver was attacked by three men who stole a large quantity of cigarettes as he made a delivery to a Derbyshire supermarket.

He sustained minor facial injuries in the assault on High Street, Codnor.

The men drove off and were pursued by police who stopped when they deemed it too dangerous.

Traffic on the M1 was brought to a standstill as officers introduced a rolling road block while they looked for one of the offenders.

There was a minor collision on the southbound carriageway in which no-one was injured and the men abandoned one of their cars at junction 25 near Bostocks Lane.

The driver made off across the motorway and the road was closed for a time while police dogs tried to track the offender.

A police spokesman said no-one had been arrested and inquiries were continuing.