A VAN driver was punched in the kidneys by a thief who grabbed his keys and drove off in the vehicle.

White Arrow van driver Alan Perry, 43, was delivering in Belthorn Road, Belthorn, at 4pm yesterday when a man hit him in the back, knocking him down, then jumped into the van and turned round to drive towards Guide.

Mr Perry, of Padiham, asked a nearby British Telecom worker to block the road with his van, and another white van also partially blocked the thief's escape.

Sgt Grant Smith, of Darwen police, said Mr Perry stood in the road to try and force the thief to stop, but his attacker drove straight at him.

The stolen van collided with the white van, which gave chase towards Guide roundabout.

The White Arrow van was found at the M65 junction, Guide. No parcels had been stolen.

Mr Perry was discharged from Blackburn Royal Infirmary after treatment.

Police want to speak to the driver of the white van.

The attacker was described as white, in his thirties with dark hair and wearing a patterned T-shirt. Anyone with information should contact Darwen police on 01254 701777.

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