A BOLTON woman was abducted and forced to drive to Leeds at knifepoint during a 90-minute terror ride.

The 47-year-old woman was approached by a man as she was unloading her silver BMW estate car on the outskirts of the town centre.

The knifeman brandished a seven-inch knife and forced her to drive along the M62 and then on to the M621, where she became stuck in traffic.

The knifeman then jumped out of the vehicle close to Junction One of the M621 near to Beeston Road, Leeds.

The terrified woman drove off before raising the alarm. She was badly shaken but was not injured.

Today she said: "I was frozen with fear. "I didn't know what he was going to do next. It was terrifying."

She was kidnapped last Thursday at 8.45am in the Chorley New Road area of Bolton, but police have only just released details of the abduction.

Police are appealing for witnesses and have released an e-fit of the man and a photograph of a vehicle similar to the one driven by the woman..

The knifeman is said to be of Arabic appearance and in his early 20s.

Det Sgt Andy Cunliffe, of Bolton CID, said: "This man showed no hesitation in threatening the victim with a weapon.

"Although she was not injured during the attack, it was a terrifying ordeal.

"She was forced to drive for more than one and a half hours to an area she did not know and was understandably very frightened.

"It is vital that we catch this man before he injures anyone."

"I believe someone may have seen the man hanging around the Chorley New Road area of Bolton or may have seen him in Leeds after he ran off from the car."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact officers at Astley Bridge CID on 0161 856 5740 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111