A KIDNAPPER armed with a knife jumped into woman's car and took her on a terrifying hour-long 33-mile journey.

The man got into the Seat Ibiza and directed the driver to junction four of the M65 at Darwen, where he fled.

Detective investigating the incident, which began in Warrington at 8am on Thursday, are treating it as a kidnap.

They believe the stranger may well be from East Lancashire.

It is not known what he was running from.

The man told the woman: "Follow my instructions and you won't get hurt."

Police said she was terrified, crying at the wheel of her car, as she was directed along the A49, M62 and M6.

At this point the kidnapper appeared to show a compassionate side, putting the knife away and talking to her politely.

Police said the man panicked on the M65 due to heavy traffic and quickly directed her to come off at junction four.

He fled the car in Mary Lever Way, but the woman did not see which way he went.

The woman, in tears, then approached a couple of motorists asking for help and police were alerted.

Detective Sergeant Kate Tomlinson, of Cheshire police, said: "She is extremely shaken up and upset, but, thankfully, she was unharmed.

"It was a terrifying ordeal for her.

"We would like anyone with information who saw the car on the motorway or where the man fled to to come forward."

The man was Asian, in his late 20s, with a Lancashire accent, of medium build, about 5ft10in tall and clean shaven. His right eyebrow had two or three lines shaved in it.

The kidnapper was wearing dark clothes, a fleece hat and gloves.

Call Cheshire police on 0845 4580000, Lancashire police on 01254 262411 Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 with information.