Hijacked lorry driver found safe

Police issued a picture of a lorry similar to the one that was stolen

A French lorry driver whose vehicle, carrying cognac worth £200,000, was hijacked from a Hampshire service station has been found.

The hunt for him began after a fellow French lorry driver, who was also at Sutton Scottney services on the A34, saw him leave "in a rush" at 2.15am.

The lorry's cab was later found in a lay-by on the A34. Police said there were "signs of a struggle".

The missing trailer is a French Mercedes HGV - F-registration 614679.

Found by workmen

Detective Superintendent Dean Jones said: "We would urge anyone who was using the A34 or the Sutton Scotney services overnight and may have seen something that can help us with our investigation to get in touch.

"We would also ask that anyone who sees the stolen trailer not to approach it but to contact us immediately."

The missing driver was found by workmen near Bullington Cross in Winchester, shortly before 1pm.

He was taken to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital with minor injuries and bruising.