THIEVES threatened a lorry driver with a metal bar before making off with thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment.

The 56-year-old driver, who is from Hull, was asleep in his lorry on Altham industrial estate in Accrington when the thieves struck.

He woke at 2.25am this morning to find four men stealing the load from the back of his truck.

One of the group threatened him with a metal bar and they escaped with two pallet loads of Samsung computer screens, into a white Mercedes Sprinter van.

The man who threatened the driver was white, in his 20s or 30s, about six foot tall with short brown hair and a beard.

Two of the accomplices were white, about five foot seven inches tall, and the fourth was Asian, aged about 19 or 20, and about five foot eleven inches tall.

Police are appealing for witnesses to help catch the gang.

Inspector Jo Lightbrown from Accrington CID, said: "This is a particularly nasty incident and the driver was lucky not to be hurt.

"I would appeal to anyone who has any information about this robbery, or witnessed anything suspicious to come forward."

Soon afterwards, a similar vehicle was spotted in convoy with a red Fiat Brava "acting suspiciously" on the A674 at Withnel, Insp Lightbrown added.

On of the men in the van was seen making a call from a phonebox before both vehicles drove off.

Anyone with any information should contact Accrington police on (01254) 353743.