POLICE have released fresh details about the mystery of a man who was tied up and left in a van in West Woodburn.

The man was discovered by members of the Border Hunt in a van which had been abandoned in a lay-by next to Low Leam Farm, on the road between West Woodburn and Bellingham, on Monday.

Police have how revealed that the van, a purple Mercedes Vito 109 CDI Compact panel van, registration NJ54VFB, had been spotted travelling northbound on the A1 on Monday, January 2 at 6.15am.

It was then seen parked at the site in West Woodburn sometime around 7.30am the same morning. The van was not damaged and had not been in a collision, and is now being forensically examined.

After finding the man with ties to his wrists and ankles, hunt members reported the incident to police at 3.38pm.

The 29-year-old from the Durham area was found in a confused state and was unable to say how he had ended up in West Woodburn.

He was taken to NSEC hospital in Cramlington as a precaution with a minor injury.

Police say he does not recall anything after 2.30pm on New Year's Day, when he remembers driving in the Durham area.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "Officers are working with the victim to establish the full circumstances of what has occurred and are keen to speak to anyone who may be able to help police with their enquiries.

"Police would like to reassure the public that reports of such incidents are extremely unusual."

Any witnesses should contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 588 020117 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.