A MAN had his car stolen at knifepoint by a pair of carjackers as he stopped to read a text message.

Labourer Julian Morris, 29, of James Street, Oswaldtwistle, was left shaken after two men got into his car outside the Acorn Health Centre, on Blackburn Road, Accrington, early last Friday evening.

Mr Morris was on his way home when the knife-wielding attackers got into his silver P-reg Rover and forced him to drive around the side of the health centre along Leyland Street.

Threatening the victim with a knife, the front seat attacker forced him to empty his pockets and get out of the car before driving away, leaving him at the side of the road.

Mr Morris was forced to hand over his mobile phone plus £240, the week’s wages he had just collected.

Detective Sergeant Mark Gillibrand, of Accrington CID said: "The victim had stopped outside the new health centre to answer a text message when two men got into his car uninvited.

"They pulled a knife and forced Mr Morris to get out of the car and hand over all his possessions, including an amount of cash that he had just collected.

"This is a serious incident and I would appeal to anyone who saw anything on Friday evening or anyone who has heard anybody talking about the incident to contact us immediately."

The first carjacker, who was carrying the knife, was described as white, in his mid-20s, of skinny to medium build with short blonde hair.

His accomplice was also white, of medium build with brown hair.

Both men had an Irish accent and were wearing Urban camouflage jackets.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

vanessa.cornall@menmedia.co.uk