A POLISH lorry driver was abducted and beaten by hijackers who stole a hoard of televisions from a trailer.

The driver was sleeping in the cab of his lorry in Golborne when he was woken by crooks who bundled him into the boot of a car. They then took him to High Field farm, in Newton-le-Willows, where he was beaten and abandoned.

The cab and trailers, which contained a large quantity of silver, 25-inch Philips televisions, were later found burnt out on Leigh Croft Road, Birchwood, Warrington.

Detective Constable Mick Bates from Greater Manchester Police said the driver had been through a "terrifying ordeal". He appealed for witnesses to the hijacking, which happened at about 5.30am on Tuesday, June 1, or anyone who has been offered a television matching the description of those stolen, to contact police.

The lorry's cab was a Mercedes, registration WX 13 018, and the two tractor units had 'Euroad' on the side of them. Their registration was WX 376 AE.

The victim believes he was put into the boot of a silver Honda Civic, and that a silver Mondeo may have been involved as well.

Anyone with information can contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7746 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.