A HUNT has been launched after masked armed robbers threatened a factory owner.

Their victim, the owner of a home improvement business on Ross Road, in Stockton, was cornered in his car as he arrived at his premises yesterday.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "He was parking his car when a maroon-coloured Vauxhall Cavalier pulled up behind him.

"Two masked men wearing full faced balaclavas, brandishing a base ball bat and a samurai sword, wrenched open his car door and demanded money from him.

"They searched the inside of the vehicle and the boot, before fleeing empty-handed with a third accomplice, who was driving the Cavalier.''

Ten minutes later, the car was dumped and set on fire behind the Formule 1 Hotel, off Portrack Lane, Stockton.

Three men were seen running towards a screen of shrubs on the Lane's industrial estate.

Detective Sergeant Guy Newman, of Cleveland CID, said the factory boss was unhurt but extremely shocked.

The car had been spotted in the car park of the Asda superstore, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, earlier in the day.

Police want to piece together its movements since February.

An eyewitness who was driving over the A19 flyover at the time of the fire, said: "They must have used some form of accelerant because there was a sudden whoosh and black smoke everywhere.

"I saw people running but thought they were getting away from the fire. I did not realise they were making their escape.''

Anyone who can help Cleveland Police is asked to ring (01642) 302266 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.