A masked robber stole cash from a frightened motorist after forcing his way into his car outside a York factory in daylight.

The driver was subjected to a terrifying ordeal when he was accosted by the 6ft robber as he waited for his girlfriend outside the Nestl factory in York.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened on Wigginton Road at the start of the evening rush hour as the man waited in his car opposite the factory entrance.

The victim is a man in his early twenties, of Saudi Arabian origin, who lives in Huddersfield, but the attack is not thought to have been racially motivated.

"The offender stolen itmes from the car and threatened the victim further before leaving the vehicle and running off towards the traffic lights at the junction with Crichton Avenue."

The man is described as 6ft tall. He was wearing a black face mask and neither a coat nor a jacket.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen the drama unfold as they were passing, or the black VW car parked by the road, between 4.45pm and 5.15pm, to get in contact with them on 01904 631321.

Updated: 16:00 Wednesday, June 27, 2001