DETECTIVES are hunting a gang who dragged a sleeping lorry driver from his cab in Bury and took him on a "ride of terror".

The terrified 45-year-old was pushed into the back of a stolen Ford Mondeo and driven off.

The gang forced him to put on a balaclava, covered him with a blanket and threatened to kill him as the car sped away.

He was eventually released 25 miles away in a quiet country lane in Northwich, Cheshire, in the dead of night.

His lorry and £30,000 contents, including tooth paste, air fresheners and Papermate pens, were stolen.

The driver's nightmare began shortly before midnight last Tuesday (April 8). He was in the sleeping area of the cab when three men climbed into the HGV parked on the Pilsworth Industrial estate off Roach Bank Road.

They dragged him out of the cab and bundled him into the Mondeo which had been stolen from Cheshire on April 1. At the same time, the HGV was driven from the Industrial estate by other gang members.

The driver is now recovering at home in Newcastle with his family. He will be off work for some time.

The driver, who did not want to be named, said: "It was a very frightening experience. There were a couple of moments where I thought I wouldn't be coming back."

The lorry cab was later found burnt out in the Skelmersdale area. The trailer bearing the logo "Trans American Leasing" and its load are missing.

Detective Inspector Simon Collier, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the truck driver. He is a hard working, family man and has suffered a great deal of shock and distress.

"He was subjected to a ride of terror during which he was threatened and made to fear for his life.

"Several other HGVs were parked on the industrial estate at the time of the incident and I would appeal to anyone with information regarding the taking of the vehicle, the whereabouts of the trailer and its contents or sightings of the vehicles to contact the police.

"The cab in particular was so distinctive that truck drivers may recall seeing it being driven from Bury to the Skelmersdale area".

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Whitefield CID on 856 8249 or call Crimestoppers on 0800555111.