A VAN driver was brutally beaten with hammers during a hijack on Wednesday night.

Police are now hunting the three masked men who took the Amtrac delivery lorry at traffic lights at the junction of Rochdale Road, Bury, and Heywood Street.

Motorists watched in horror as the 36-year-old driver was dragged from the cab and attacked.

The gang initially struck at 7.10pm as the white Mercedes van left PC World on the Waterfold Park estate, just off the M66.

Detective Sergeant Bill Gresty said: "The van had just collected a large quantity of computer parts and was at the traffic lights at the exit road of Waterfold Park.

"A Honda Civic pulled up behind the vehicle and three men got out and began attacking the van with hammers.

"The driver drove through a red light to escape. He drove up Rochdale Road and, believing the gang would not strike again, stopped at traffic lights at the junction of Heywood Street."

The Honda again pulled up beside the van and the three men resumed their attack.

"The driver was dragged from his cab and beaten about the face and body with hammers.

"Other motorists were at the traffic lights but were too terrified to act. Many called the police on their mobile phones."

Describing the attack as "brutal", DS Gresty said one of the raiders jumped into the van and made a U-turn in the road.

The vehicle and the Honda were last seen leaving the M66 motorway at Pilsworth. The Honda was stolen on Tuesday from the Trafford Centre and the car had been used in an armed robbery in the Trafford area later that day.

Twenty minutes before the Bury raid, the car's occupants tried to steal another car from a motorist in the Chadderton area of Oldham.

The Amtrac driver needed treatment to deep wounds to his face and ear at Fairfield. He is expected to remain in hospital until the weekend.

Police want help in locating the van. Contact DS Gresty or DC Mick Kennedy at Bury CID on 856 8150 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.