A TERRIFIED trucker was ordered out of his cab at gunpoint and bundled into a car boot by kidnappers posing as policemen.

Their victim was held, masked, for two-and-a-half hours before the crooks dumped him on a motorway in Wiltshire.

The lorry driver had picked up a consignment of computer equipment from Evesham Technology on the Vale Business Park before heading for the M5 at Whittington on Friday night.

As he drove along the A44, a black series three BMW sped past him before he realised he was being followed by a grey Vauxhall Vectra.

Once he hit the northbound slip road at 9pm, the Vectra switched on red and blue flashing lights. He thought it was an unmarked police car, and pulled over.

Two men in fluorescent jackets leapt out, forced the lorry driver out of his cab and led him to the back of the car at gunpoint.

They threw a hood over his head and locked him in the boot.

The pair then jumped into the Vectra and sped off down the motorway before throwing the disoriented trucker out at 11.30pm, at Wootton Basset on the M4.

He flagged down a passing motorist who waited with him on the hard shoulder until police arrived.

"This is an extremely serious crime," said DS Andy Price, of Worcester police.

"We're sure the two men in fluorescent jackets would have attracted the attention of motorists or pedestrians thinking they were police officers in an unmarked car."

DS Price believed the crooks had set up dry-runs to make sure everything went to plan and appealed for anyone who saw people acting suspiciously in Evesham in the days running up to Friday's ambush to come forward.

The first man is described as being white, between 40 and 60, of stocky build, 5ft 8in tall with white or grey hair. The second was also white, but taller, with sandy or fair hair.

A huge investigation is now underway, involving officers from West Mercia, West Midlands and Wiltshire forces. The lorry, a white articulated Volvo SL10, has still not been found. A spokeswoman from Evesham Technology revealed today the haul of PCs and lap-tops was worth in excess of £250,000.

Witnesses are urged to contact DS Price on 01905 723888, quoting c/597795, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 515539.