The 46-year-old driver from Chorley was stopped on the M53 in Cheshire and forced to move a haul of more than £1m worth of smuggled cigarettes.

He is said to have been distraught by the incident but no further details about him have been released.

The lorry was hijacked in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, on Thursday August 7 and officers are trying to trace two vehicles in connection with the incident.

Police have released a CCTV image of a red tractor unit at Hapsford Services, believed to be driven by the offenders and officers are also looking for clues on a dark-coloured Ford Focus.

The Chorley lorry driver stopped when a car, which appeared to be from the Vehicle and Operators Services Agency (VOSA), drove in front of the lorry and flashed its fluorescent sign to lure the driver.

The Ford was spotted at around 1pm on August 7 on a roundabout at junction 8 of the M53 before driving onto the motorway towards Birkenhead.

The Ford is said to have been displaying a sign in the rear window saying 'Follow Me'.

A witness described the car as having chequered or fluorescent markings along the sides of the vehicle and a light bar across its roof, which made it look like an emergency vehicle.

The stolen cigarettes have Spanish and French health warnings on the packets and are Benson and Hedges Silver and Gold and Mayfair King-size brands.

Police have offered a £50,000 reward for anyone who has information on the crime or the offenders.

Information can be given by calling Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000 or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.