A MOTORIST told last night how he feared he might die when he was robbed of his £12,000 Rolex watch at knifepoint by the side of the road.

Gianni Ross, 41, has offered a reward for information leading to the conviction of the three men, who police believe chose him as a random victim.

Gold jewellery, including chains, rings and a bracelet were also taken in the attack, say police.

Mr Ross, from Darlington, pulled over on the A67 on the outskirts of the town, between the Old Farmhouse pub and the Morton Palms roundabout, after another motorist flashed at him.

Although the other driver carried on, Mr Ross checked his lights and realised an indicator was not working.

But as he worked on the fuse box beneath his car's steering wheel, the first attacker came up behind him.

Two other men stood behind the attacker to shield the view of other drivers, while the first man made threats and pulled out a large knife.

As he stripped off Mr Ross' jewellery, the man passed it back to his accomplices.

After the robbery, the three men jumped into a K-registered black BMW 525i, and sped off towards Darlington.

Mr Ross said: "I was terrified, I didn't know whether I was going to get killed or not. He was starting to get angry when I couldn't get my sovereign ring off.

"I just couldn't believe what was happening. It seems like it lasted ages, but I don't know. It could have maybe been two, three, four minutes."

The robbers were in their 30s, and the main aggressor wore a petrol blue tracksuit and spoke in a "Yorkshire or southern accent".

He and one of the other men, who wore a powder blue tracksuit, were described as Afro-Caribbean, while the third man is thought to have possibly been Brazilian. He wore cream clothing, including a brimmed hat.

Anybody with information about the attack, which happened at around 6.45pm on Sunday, should contact DC Jo Slater on (01325) 467681 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.