A 64-YEARS-OLD driver bravely struggled with a teenager who tried to steal his car from a supermarket car park.

But after the vehicle collided with a parked car the thief's accomplices rushed to his aid, threatened the owner with a hammer and smashed his car window.

The shocking mid-morning incident occurred as the Hindley man was standing by his Vauxhall Vectra on an Asda car park when a youth climbed into the driver's seat and attempted to drive away.

The owner climbed into the rear of the car and grabbed the thief and a struggle began causing the Vectra to crash into a parked car.

Two men were waiting for the car thief in a K-registered BMW and, following the collision, they approached the Vectra and threatened the victim with a hammer and smashed a window, before all three offenders escaped in the BMW from the superstore in Pilsworth, Bury.

One of the trio is described as a white male, 15 to 16 years old, slimly built, with close cropped dark hair, dark eyes and a blue hooded top. Another was white, 5'8" tall, medium build and wearing a khaki top and jacket.