AN elderly woman was left shaken and distressed when she was forced to stop her car and hand over money and jewellery.The 76-year-old woman was made to pull over by the driver of a van as she drove her Citroen C2 along the A12 at Marks Tey towards Colchester, shortly before midnight on Sunday.

AN elderly woman was left shaken and distressed when she was forced to stop her car and hand over money and jewellery.

The 76-year-old woman was made to pull over by the driver of a van as she drove her Citroen C2 along the A12 at Marks Tey towards Colchester, shortly before midnight on Sunday.

A male passenger got out of the van brandishing a piece of wood, and made the woman hand over her valuables.

He then got back into his vehicle and headed towards Colchester.

A spokesman for Essex Police said that detectives believed the van might have been in the area prior to the attack.

They are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the van in a lay-by or drivers who were flashed by a light coloured van in the area on Sunday night.

Anyone with information can contact Colchester police on 01206 854324.