POLICE were last night hunting two brazen thieves who hijacked a high-performance car from a lay-by on the Great North Road.

The blue BMW M3 coupe was stolen after the owner, who has not been named, pulled over on the south-bound carriageway of the A1, north of Scotch Corner.

Two men knocked on the window, threatened him and then ordered him out of the car before getting in and speeding off.

The owner was left in the lay-by, shocked and shaken but otherwise unhurt.

The car has the distinctive registration M3 WUL and immediately after the car was stolen, at about 1pm yesterday, North Yorkshire police alerted other forces.

Meanwhile anybody who has seen the car or knows anything about the incident is asked to contact detectives on (01609) 783131