A DELIVERY driver was threatened by a knifeman who then drove off with his van containing 700 copies of the Bolton Evening News.

Driver Keith Bretnall parked the white Ford Transit van outside Bargain Booze in Market Street, Farnworth.

He was confronted by the knifeman as he returned to the van after dropping off copies of the paper at 11.40am yesterday.

The 42-year-old driver, from Farnworth, said: "I went around to the back of the van and he was there just looking at me. He swore at me and told me to hand over my keys as he waved a knife.

"I thought he was going to stab me."

Mr Bretnall, a delivery driver since November, handed the knifeman his keys. The man then drove off towards Bolton. The van contained more than 700 editions of yesterday's first edition of the Bolton Evening News. The copies were destined for newsagents in Farnworth, Kearsley, Pendlebury, Swinton and Manchester.

Also taken were copies of the Homes Guide supplement.

The store was one of Mr Bretnall's first stops on the route.

His wallet, house keys and mobile phone were also in the van -- registration number MJ02 JNV. It has not yet been recovered.

The knifeman is described as white, aged in his 20s and had a shaven head. He was wearing jeans.

Witnesses should contact police on 0161 856 5593 or call Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.

A DELIVERY driver was threatened by a knifeman who then drove off with his van containing 700 copies of the Bolton Evening News.

Driver Keith Bretnall parked the white Ford Transit van outside Bargain Booze in Market Road, Farnworth.

He was confronted by the knifeman as he returned to the van after dropping off copies of the paper at 11.40am yesterday.

The 42-year-old driver, from Farnworth, said: "I went around to the back of the van and he was there just looking at me. He swore at me and told me to hand over my keys as he waved a knife.

"I thought he was going to stab me."

Mr Bretnall, a delivery driver since November, handed the knifeman his keys. The man then drove off towards Bolton. The van contained more than 700 editions of yesterday's first edition of the Bolton Evening News. The copies were destined for newsagents in Farnworth, Kearsley, Pendlebury, Swinton and Manchester.

Also taken were copies of the Homes Guide supplement.

The store was one of Mr Bretnall's first stops on the route.

His wallet, house keys and mobile phone were also in the van -- registration number MJ02 JNV. It has not yet been recovered.

The knifeman is described as white, aged in his 20s and had a shaven head. He was wearing jeans.

Witnesses should contact police on 0161 856 5593 or call Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.