Computers stolen in lorry hijack

The driver of the lorry suffered minor injuries

Police are appealing for witnesses after a lorry carrying computer equipment worth £200,000 was hijacked.

Three men in balaclavas overpowered the 55-year-old driver as his lorry was parked at Altham Business Park near Accrington, Lancashire, on Thursday.

The men, who had Merseyside accents, drove south along the M65 and M6 before getting into a dark hatchback car.

The lorry driver suffered minor injuries and was released at an industrial estate in Pemberton, Wigan.

'Terrifying ordeal'

The lorry and trailer were found burnt out at the Wardley Industrial Estate in Swinton, Greater Manchester.

The Amilo-branded computer equipment has not been found.

Lancashire Police said the lorry had a white Volvo tractor unit with 'Blair International' written in red on the sides and had the registration number IKZ 7174.

Det Sgt Paul Broxson, of Lancashire Police, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the driver that has left him traumatised but, thankfully, not seriously injured.

"We are sure that someone must have seen something suspicious on the hard shoulder of the motorway, or the roads around those two stretches of motorway, that involved a large articulated lorry and a small, dark hatch-back car."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.