A GERMAN lorry driver was abducted when his vehicle was hijacked by a gang on an East Lancashire industrial estate.

The lorry, thought to have been delivering computers to a business on Altham Industrial Estate, was hijacked overnight, but the exact time is still unclear.

The driver was taken by his assailants to Manchester where he was later released.

The lorry was found burnt out in Manchester after its contents had been stolen.

Police were today still waiting for an interpreter so they can interview the driver, who went to a police station in Manchester to report the offence.

Police said he has been left shaken by the ordeal and he has so far been unable to give any further information.

Insp Graham Ashcroft, of Blackburn Police, said: "A lorry has been hijacked by three men who have driven the driver to Manchester.

"The driver has eventually been released and it would appear the contents of the vehicle have been stolen and the vehicle set on fire.

"The driver is a German national and we are in the process of arranging for an interpreter to help us interview him today. He is quite shaken up."

Police said it was too early to tell whether the hijacking was linked to similar incidents on East Lancashire business parks this year.

In March, a massive haul of computers was stolen from a wagon at Altham Industrial Estate. The driver was assaulted and later found in Wigan.

Days later thieves made off with a van full of computers after a raid at a storage warehouse at the Network 65 Business Park, Hapton.

Witnesses should phone police on 01254 51212.