A WORKMAN threw himself in front of his van as he desperately pursued thieves fleeing in it.

A man in his 50s was working at an address in Fair Oak when he heard someone start up the engine of his flatbed Ford Transit van parked outside in Sandy Lane in Fair Oak.

He ran into a street before a woman parked nearby invited him to jump in her car and they began pursuing the stolen vehicle.

They caught up a garden centre near Winchester Road and Fishers Pond, they attempted to block the van to prevent it moving off.

There was a collision between the van and the owner as he got out to try and stop it.

He suffered cuts and grazes to his leg.

The thief is described as white, in his late 20s or early 30s, with a round face, short blond hair and was clean shaven.

Anyone who witnessed the theft at 3pm on Thursday, September 18, should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Mini-com users can call 18001 101.