The woman, who has not been named by police, was grabbed by a masked man and dragged from her Volkswagon Golf.

As she was thrown into Bexton Road, near Egerton Primary School, another man wearing a balaclava got into the passenger seat.

Neighbours found the distressed 29-year-old in the street.

"I saw one man get in the car and he was just laughing," said one neighbour.

"They drove off so fast that we were worried they were going to kill someone in an accident."

It is believed the attackers had followed the woman for 12 miles from Warrington to Knutsford in a stolen Honda Civic.

Police found the abandoned Honda with its engine still running in Cranage Road, Macclesfield.

"The woman was not physically injured, but was extremely distressed," said a police spokesman.

Her car was later spotted on the A57 heading towards Manchester. A man with short, fair hair was driving.

It was then used to carry out several crimes in Greater Manchester.

Anyone with information about Tuesday's mid-afternoon attack should call on 01244 613633.