A YOUNG mother was punched in the face during an attempted car jacking on a remote Borders road at the weekend.

Samara Morecroft was returning to her Lilliesleaf home on Sunday night at around 10.30pm when she was attacked.

The 31-year-old managed to escape from two men who had partially blocked the B6359 - Hawick to Melrose road - with their vehicle around two miles from Lilliesleaf.

Samara, who was left with a bleeding and swollen face following the incident, believes the men were trying to steal her vintage Ford Cortina.

She told the Border Telegraph: "This was the first time I've taken the Cortina to work with me and I think it was the car they were after.

"I can't think why they would want to harm me... all I can think is that they wanted the car.

"I never thought in a million years anything like this would happen near the village where I grew up.

"I was coming down the road and saw their vehicle on the road, they put their hazard lights on and as I slowed down to pass their car one of them ran out and opened my door.

"It all happened really fast but I was punched and he tried to drag me out... he was saying 'get out the car'.

"I don't think my car stopped the whole time."

The attacker is described as wearing a white/light grey hoodie top with a Borders/Edinburgh accent.

Samara, who had just finished a shift at the Exchange Bar in Hawick, managed to drive off to a nearby farm where her mother lives.

She added: "I just drove as fast as I could to my mum's and she called the police.

"This has really shaken me up and I'm worried about having to drive on that road again.

"The swelling on my face is going down but it will take a while longer before I can start feeling safe again.

"I came back to live in Lilliesleaf three years ago because I thought it was a safe place to bring up my children."

Forensic officers from Police Scotland have been carrying out tests on Samara's vehicle in an attempt to gather the fingerprints and DNA of her attacker.

And they are also appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "The incident happened around 10.30pm on Sunday on the B6359, between Hasselden and Clarilaw.

"A 32-year-old woman was driving home when a parked vehicle on the roadway forced her to come to a stop.

"At this time she was punched to the face by a male suspect before driving off and reporting the matter to police.

"Inquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to come forward."

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.