CHESHIRE Police have issued descriptions of the men thought to be involved in the lorry hijack that took place in Ellesmere Port on Friday August 8.

A lorry driver was tricked into pulling over on the M53 and forced at knifepoint to drive to Birkenhead where cigarettes valued at £1m were stolen.

Police carried out a reconstruction when a similar cab and trailer were placed on the motorway near Ellesmere Port last Thursday to jog the memories of drivers who may have seen the gang responsible.

A Ford Galaxy, made to look like a Vehicle and Operators Services Agency (VOSA) car, pulled in front of the lorry and lit up its fake sign, to signal to the driver to pull over.

The first man who was the driver of the bogus VOSA Van is described as white, 5'9''- 6' tall, and in his late 30’s to mid 40’s. He is slim with short dark hair. He was wearing clean red overalls, a tie and glasses and had a Northern Irish accent.

The second man who was a passenger in the van is also white, shorter than the first man and in his late 30’s to mid 40’s. He is of medium build with short dark hair and was wearing clean red overalls, glasses and also had a Northern Irish accent.

The third man was armed with a knife. He is white and of short, stocky build and thought to be in his late 30’s to mid 40’s. He wore a red baseball cap, sunglasses, dark overalls, and had a Northern Irish accent.

The fourth man is white, under 6’ tall and of slim build. He is in his late 30’s to mid 40’s and was wearing a black base ball cap, sunglasses and dark overalls. He also had a Northern Irish accent.

There was also a fifth man who was driving the second lorry cab. He is white, in his mid to 40s and of stocky build. He had dark sunglasses and was wearing a white coat, and a beige baseball cap.

The cab unit used by the offenders is a maroon/red colour, Scania twin steer, 3 axle cab on Irish plates. The cab is approximately three to four years old. The outstanding trailer unit is a red triple axle box van with ‘Montgomery Transport’ in silver/grey writing on the sides.

Anyone with information should contact police on 01244 615085. Information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.