Police are investigating an alleged kidnap in which a 41-year-old man was bundled into his own van and driven to Mockerkin.

At about 6.45am on Monday, the man was allegedly flagged down by a man wearing a head torch as he travelled on Grove Road, Egremont, towards St Bees.

He was tied up and taken in his white Citroen Relay high-top van to Mockerkin, arriving after about an hour.

Police believe another vehicle and two other people may have been involved in loading the contents of the victim's van into another vehicle at Mockerkin.

The van was then left at Mockerkin with the man still in the back.

At about 3pm the man managed to switch on the vehicle's hazard lights but it was 8.45pm by the time he managed to free himself and escape.

He suffered minor injuries.

The offender who stopped the man is described as being around 5ft 7in, of slim athletic build, with tidy dark cropped hair.

He was wearing a dark fleecy jumper with a zip and jeans.

Anyone who saw the van on Monday or has any information about the incident is asked to call north Cumbria CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Detective Sergeant James Mason of West Cumbria CID said:

“Thankfully the victim was not badly injured in this incident but is understandably distressed following this ordeal.

“We would like the public’s help in finding out who was responsible for this incident.

"At this time we have officers conducting enquiries in our attempts to trace those responsible.

"I would also like to reassure the public that these type of incidents are extremely rare and we are doing everything we can to ascertain what has happened.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call Cumbria Police on 101 and ask to speak to an officer from North Cumbria CID or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.