A 55-YEAR-OLD man was dragged along a busy road for hundreds of yards after trying to stop a thief trying to steal a car.

The man, who has not been named by police, had stopped to ask for directions when the thief jumped into the driver's seat and sped off along Whalley Road in Shuttleworth, Ramsbottom

The car owner grabbed hold of the car and was dragged along the road before he was forced to let go.

He suffered cuts and bruises and concussion and was taken to the Fairfield Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

The victim had been delivering the car, a Renault Laguna registration YK02 MDJ, from his home town in Leeds to an address in Ramsbottom when the robbery occurred at about 10.30am on Tuesday.

PC John Flowers, of Ramsbottom Police, said although the man had not been badly hurt the incident should act as a warning to other drivers.

He said: "This appears to have been an opportunist theft after the driver stopped to ask for directions and left the keys in the ignition.

"Drivers should never leave keys in the car, or indeed any valuables, which could be easy pickings for an opportunist thief, especially as it can put them in danger as in this case."

The carjacker was white, aged in his early 20s with a shaved head.

Anybody with information should call Bury CID on 0161 856 8150 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.