A MILKMAN was held at knifepoint when he stopped for a break during his delivery in Box on Saturday morning.

The 33-year-old man from Bath was assaulted after he parked his float in a layby on the A4 at 4am.

He was approached by two men who got out of a white vehicle. Two other men remained inside the car.

One man grabbed the milkman by the throat and held a three-inch knife to it, while the second man searched in the float for money.

After finding nothing, the men got back in the car and drove off towards Bath.

A police spokesman said the man was very traumatised by the incident.

North Wiltshire district councillor Tudor Jones said he had not heard anything about the attack and there was no news of it in the village.

"Sadly it is a result of the day and age we live in," he said.

Box parish councillor Caroline Taraskevics said she was very surprised when told such an assault had taken place.

The police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the men or their car. The vehicle is described as a light coloured hatchback, similar to a Citroen Saxo or a Peugeot 106.

The first man is described as white, late teens to early twenties, six foot four, slim build, with short dark hair, clean-shaven and a local accent. He was wearing a T-shirt, light blue denim jeans and white trainers.

The second man was around the same age, five foot six, of stocky build with a Geordie or North East accent. He had short, fair, highlighted, spiky hair. He was wearing a leather jacket.

Witnesses should contact DC Ian Landown at Chippenham CID (01249) 654455.