A 13-YEAR-OLD Bury boy underwent a terrifying 40-minute ordeal after being abducted and bundled into the back of a van.

After being driven to Breightmet, he was only freed when his two captors declared he "wasn't the right one."

Now, detectives have launched a major hunt for the teenager's abductors following his kidnap at 5.15pm on Friday (Feb 2).

The schoolboy was returning home on his bicycle after a paper round when he was stopped by the two men in Grange Road, Elton.

Police said that after asking the youngster for directions, he was suddenly grabbed and pushed into the back of a Transit-like van along with his cycle.

He was driven to the Breightmet area before being eventually released unharmed. Detectives said the boy was "distressed" following his ordeal but had not been physically harmed.

Detective Constable Simon Almond of Bury CID said: "The two men let him go after saying he wasn't the right one.

"At this stage, we don't know what they meant by that term.

"After being released, the teenager rode to a telephone box at Wagon Road and Winchester Way in Breightmet and telephoned his father."

Minutes later, the boy was collected from the scene and driven back to Bury.

The youngster has given police a good description of his kidnappers.

Now, detectives are anxious to talk to anyone who witnessed the boy being abducted in Grange Road or, later, being released in Breightmet.

Det Con Almond added: "Given the age of the boy, this was an extremely distressing ordeal for him.

"He was not physically harmed by the men. The incident lasted about 40 minutes."

One of the men was aged in his mid-20s, 5ft 5inch tall with a ginger goatee-type beard with brown hair with streaks.

He was wearing a blue coat with a hood, blue Adidas bottoms and training shoes.

His accomplice was in his early 30s, 5ft 8inch in height, muscular build and wearing a three-quarter length jacket, a blue top and faded jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Det Con Almond or Det Con Melanie Wright on (0161) 856 8150.

Alternatively, freephone CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.