THIS is the man police want to speak to after a pensioner was held hostage at knife-point in his own car on Valentines Day.

The OAP was parked near the Co-Op shop in Sonning Common when a stranger got inside the vehicle via the passenger door and demanded to be driven down the road.

The frightened 78-year-old man obliged and drove the strange man towards the Parish Hall when he demanded he exited the vehicle.

However, the offender then drew a blade and grabbed the victim by the wrist, threatening to cut him with the knife.

The startled pensioner fled the vehicle and walked back towards the Wood Lane store to seek help.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "The offender opened the front car door on the passenger side and proceeded to sit down in the passenger seat, asking the victim to drive him down the road.

"The victim, a 78-year-old man, drove the offender to the Parish Hall and then asked the man to exit the vehicle.

"The man refused, and then produced a bladed article, believed to be a knife. He grabbed the victim by the wrist, threatening him with the knife.

"The victim then left his vehicle and walked towards Co-Op to ask for help."

After the victim escaped, the knife-wielding man escaped in the direction of Kennylands road.

Thames Valley Police has now released CCTV images of a man officers want to speak to in connection with the case.

Police Constable Susan Bradshaw added: "I am appealing for information about this incident and would like to speak to the man in these images, who may have vital information about the incident.

"If you know this man or have any other information about this incident please call me via the Thames Valley Police non-enquiry centre 101."