TWO masked men attacked a lorry driver in a secluded lay-by and pinned him to the ground while they raided his truck.

They ransacked an Alldays delivery lorry stealing alcohol and cigarettes after dragging the driver from his cab yesterday.

Police said the lorry was parked in a lay-by off the A352 Wool to Weymouth road, near Fossil Farm and a mile from Winfrith New-burgh, when the robbers struck.

They threatened the driver and put what he thought was a gun in his back and forced him to stay face down on the ground while they raided the back of the vehicle.

After they fled the terrified driver was able to drive to a nearby Esso service station at Owermoigne and raise the alarm. Twenty-three-year-old shop assistant Louise Guilbert said the driver asked if he could use the telephone.

She said: "He was very shaken up and said he had been attacked.

"He wanted to use the phone to call the police and I offered him a cup of coffee to help him calm down. He said he had been parked up in a lay-by when the attackers suddenly grabbed him, held him to the ground and went through the back of his lorry."

A passer-by at Owermoigne told the Echo that the lorry driver looked extremely shaken as he talked to police.

He added: "I'd been getting petrol and I heard that what happened was the lorry driver had stopped in a lay-by just past Wyevale Garden Centre when he was held up by two men wearing balaclavas.

"They put something in his back he thought was a gun, then pushed him to the ground and ransacked the truck.

"He then seems to have driven up to the garage and reported what had happened to police."

Alldays spokesman Sarah Townsend said: "We can confirm that one of our delivery vehicles was subject to a robbery yesterday.

"The lorry was on its way to Portland to make a delivery when the driver pulled over into a lay-by to take a rest break.

"This is when we believe the incident took place and we have offered our full co-operation to the police."

A police spokesman said: "The driver was left very shaken after the incident. It was a terrifying experience for him.

"We are very keen for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or may have information to come forward and help with our enquiries.

"Anyone who may have seen the lorry before the incident should call Blandford CID on (01202) 223058."