A FATHER-of-three was left lying in the road after car thieves savagely beat him with a baseball bat.

Mr Harry Waters (54) had stopped at shops on his way home in Prestwich at about 5.45pm on Tuesday, when two men hijacked his high-performance BMW 323.

The terrified salesman was subjected to a horrific attack when he put up a fight for his £30,000 company car. He suffered a broken nose, black eyes and bruises to his body.

Recovering at home in Sedgley Park, Mr Waters told the Bury Times: "It was terrible.

"I have had a very good hiding but I know it could have been a lot worse. You hear about such attacks taking place in Prestwich, but it is a shock when it happens to you.

"Looking back, I should have just let them take the car."

Mr Waters said he had parked in Kings Road to visit a deli, and had chatted to a friend before getting back in his car. Before he had chance to start the engine, however, two masked thugs appeared at either side of the W-reg vehicle, screaming and shouting abuse at him.

"I thought it was a joke at first," said Mr Waters.

"They opened the doors and yelled at me to hand over the car. One of them started to drag me out and we fought at the side of the car."

At 6ft 2ins tall and reasonably fit, Mr Waters seemed to get the better of his attacker at one stage, but was then struck by his accomplice with a baseball bat. He said: "I thought I was quite fit and handy and before this, believed I could handle myself. But I didn't stand a chance. It was a terrifying ordeal."

Mr Waters was hit about the head and body a number of times before the thieves jumped into his car and started the engine.

He said the pair drove down Kings Road with him holding on to the door for about 20 yards, before being flung into the road as the car gathered speed.

Bleeding heavily from his injuries and semi-conscious, shocked on-lookers ran to his aid and the police were called. A dazed Mr Waters was taken to North Manchester General Hospital for treatment, but was released later that evening. His car was found dumped in Crumpsall on Wednesday afternoon.

DC Pete Graham, of Whitefield CID, appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said: "This was a particularly nasty and violent attack on Mr Waters, and I'm sure these people will strike again.

"Motorists should lock their doors as soon as they get into their vehicles as a precaution."

The men were both 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall, and in their late teens or early 20s. One wore dark clothing and the other wore a grey jacket.

Anyone with information should contact Whitefield CID on 856 8248.