VICIOUS thugs kidnapped and brutally assaulted a young man as he walked home from a restaurant with a female friend. Police say the dazed 21-year-old was suffering from facial injuries, severe bruising and a broken wrist at the M6 services near Burton at 2am on Monday. He had endured a 90-minute ordeal at the hands of two strangers who bundled him into their car, beating him about the face and body, before forcing him to hand over £200.

The victim was walking home to Nether Kellet with a woman after a night out at the Far Pavilion restaurant near Bolton-le-Sands when they met two poachers.

The woman argued with the poachers, because they were trying to kill rabbits, before, moving on. The couple later walked past a white Austin Montego with a taxi sign on the top.

About half a mile further on, as the couple were crossing a road bridge over the M6, they saw the two poachers driving the Montego taxi. They ran to hide, but it was too late. The car had turned round and was chasing them.

The terrified woman hid under the bridge before taking her life in her hands and crossing the motorway to escape. She arrived home and presumed her friend must have done the same.

But his nightmare had only just begun. He had been subjected to a vicious attack and forced into the car where he was made to disclose the PIN number of his credit card.

The robbers used this to steal £200 for their victim's bank account before dumping him at the motorway services. He was discovered, bruised and bleeding, at around 2am and was taken to the RLI for treatment.

A description of the kidnappers has been released. They were both white and wore Barbour style jackets. One was wearing a flat cap and was carrying a shotgun.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

If you saw these men or their distinctive car on Monday night, please contact Lancaster Police on (01524) 63333.

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