CHESHIRE detectives yesterday staged a road-side reconstruction of a terrifying £1m lorry hijack- ing that left its 46-year-old victim traumatised.

The incident took place last Thursday in Ellesmere Port when the lorry, from a transport company in Lancashire, collected a trailer from Deeside and was on its route along the M53 to Birkenhead Docks.

At some point, a Ford Galaxy, liveried up as a Vehicle and Operators Services Agency vehicle, pulled in front of the lorry and illuminated a sign instructing the lorry to follow on behind.

The lorry then stopped at Junction seven of the M53, where the male hijackers forced the driver to continue his journey to Birkenhead Docks where he exchanged his trailer for one containing £1m- worth of cigarettes. It is then believed the offend- ers followed the lorry to Hapsford Services, where they detached the trailer of illicit cargo from the driver’s cab and attached it to their own. The driver and his cab were subse- quently found in Humberside.

Yesterday, a cab similar to the one involved in the incident was placed on the exact spot where the original was found between 12 and 2pm in the hope of jogging the memories of motorists.

A roadblock was also set up so police could interview passing drivers.

There is currently a £50,000 reward for information.

If you think you could help, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.