"GUTTED" staff at Evesham Technology have been working round-the-clock to replace hundreds of thousands of pounds of computers stolen in an M5 ambush.

Carolyn Worth, the firm's external relations specialist, revealed that last Friday's raid could cost the company £250,000.

An estimated 250 desk-top and portable machines were stolen by gunmen who kidnapped the truck driver by bundling him into their car boot at Whittington.

Ms Worth said the computers stolen had been hand-built to customers' specifications.

"The majority were PCs but there were some lap tops and a couple of machines that were going for review," she said.

"We've been working hard to rebuild the machines taken and contact our customers to advise them of the delay."

She said the raid, which police believe was pre-planned, had devastated staff.

"They're absolutely gutted because they work so hard," she added.

"We've never had to deal with this sort of thing before. The lorry driver must have been absolutely terrified.

"Obviously we're trying to limit the damage to our customers, but the main thing is, no one was hurt."

The articulated Volvo SL10, belonging to logistics giant Amtrak, left Evesham Technology's depot at 8.30pm before heading along the A44 to junction 7 of the M5.

It was final consignment to leave the warehouse that day.

Half-an-hour later, two men in a grey Vauxhall Vectra, posing as policemen in fluorescent jackets, switched on red and blue flashing lights and pulled the trucker over on the northbound slip road.

Two-and-a-half hours later, the crooks hauled him out of their car boot and dumped him 100 miles away on the M4 in Wootton Bassett.

He was rescued by a passing motorist.

Despite a massive operation involving West Mercia, West Midlands and Wiltshire forces, no trace of the lorry, Vectra or black BMW which sped past the lorry driver on the A44 has been found.

"We send out around 900 machines a day in two or three consignments," Ms Worth said.

"Thank goodness they weren't all in the same one, otherwise our losses would have been much heavier.

"We're constantly reviewing our security because of the high value of the equipment and the fact that it's very portable. We do constantly upgrade it, but we are working with our security firm today."

She said the machines stolen would all be marked with Evesham Technology's stamp.

"They're very distinctive," she said. If the computer's marked 'Evesham' and hasn't come from an Evesham shop, it's going to be very hot indeed."

Anyone with information is urged to contact Det Sgt Andy Price at Worcester police on 01905 723888, quoting c/597795.