Three friends were chased down a Shropshire main road by a lorry driver who blocked the road with his truck before leaping from his cab and hurling abuse at them, it emerged today.

The group was travelling on the A49 towards the Ludlow area after a nightout at the cinema in Shrewsbury when they were subjected to the terrifying ordeal.

As the friends entered Church Stretton the white lorry overtook their Mini and pulled in front of them, blocking the road by the BP garage shortly after midnight on Saturday.

The driver of the car reversed back towards the crossroads, as the lorry driver shouting towards them, and headed for Church Stretton police station and called the police.

The group was advised to wait for five minutes and the driver of the lorry headed off towards Ludlow.

Jennifer Leyton-Purrier, a member of Ludlow Town Council, said: “The three people involved were absolutely petrified – they said it was like something out of a horror film.

“The lorry driver was harrassing them and driving up close right behind them. He then overtook them just south of Church Stretton and pulled the lorry in front of them to block the road and got out and started shouting at them.

“The driver of the car reversed back and headed for Church Stretton police station. The station was closed and when they called the operator they were advised to wait there for five minutes until the driver had gone.

“People I have spoken to say it is not safe to go out on main roads in the area at night and that can’t be right. The three people involved are scared about going out on the roads at night again.”

Richard Ewels, press spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: “We received a complaint at about 12.05am on Saturday morning over what appears to be a road rage incident on the A49 near the traffic lights in Church Stretton.

“A white articulated lorry overtook the car and stopped in front of them just beyond the traffic lights. The lorry driver got out and remonstrated with the occupants of the car before driving off towards Ludlow.

“Police are investigating but it appears no registration number of the lorry was taken.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Ludlow police station on 0300 333 3000.