A TERRIFIED motorist was forced to hand over his car after he was held up at gunpoint.

The 35-year-old victim, who lives in Amersham, has been left very shaken by the incident which happened on Monday evening.

He was driving through Hyde Heath, near Amersham, in a blue Suburu Impreza when he became aware of a red Citroen AX car behind him at the junction between Brays Green Lane and Brays Lane at 6.50pm.

The Citroen pulled up around him when he stopped at the junction and three men got out - one of them holding a gun.

The robbers forced the motorist to hand over his car keys before speeding off in the Impreza followed by an accomplice in the Citroen, leaving the victim by the side of the road.

The victim returned to his address in Amersham where he telephoned police. A police spokesman said the motorist had been shaken by the incident.

One villager of Chalk Lane, Hyde Heath, saw the theft from her window. She said: "I saw two cars going into the close at the same time. I heard a lot of noise at the side of the fence and thought someone was shouting because they'd been cut up."

Claire and Andrew Baker, of Brays Lane, Hyde Heath, also saw something suspicious.

Claire explained: "I was coming home from work on Monday at about 7pm and as I came round a corner the blue Suburu nearly crashed into me.

"There was a red car following. I just thought it was young lads having a race. It has left me feeling worried."

The red Citroen had been stolen from Wellingborough in Northamptonshire sometime during the night of April 8 and 9 and was found abandoned in Weedon Hill, Hyde Heath, at 10.30pm on Monday.

Police have arrested three men in connection with the incident who are being held at a police station in Northampton.

Witnesses should call DC Jane McIntosh on (01494) 465888 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111