PLUCKY milkwoman Mavis Ratcliffe didn't lose her bottle when a thief stole her milk truck.

She shouted at the thief, ran up and down the road calling for help and almost jumped in front of the truck to stop him escaping.

The thief, who was about 25, later abandoned the truck but got away with £400 worth of milk tokens.

Milkmen and residents were today asked to watch out for anybody trying to sell the tokens.

Mavis, of Cockerley Fold Farm, Oswaldtwistle, was delivering milk at 7.50am on the same rounds she has worked for 19 years. She had just collected two empty bottles from a doorstep in Higher Croft Road, Lower Darwen, when she heard her Toyota pickup being driven away.

Mavis said: "I couldn't believe it when I heard my pickup start up.

"I was just standing on the path with the two empty bottles in my hand.

"There is a barrier at the end of the road and I watched as he turned round and drove right past me again.

"I was so frustrated and my first thought was to jump in front of the van to stop him."

A resident let Mavis call the police and they searched the area for the truck.

Her husband Stewart was also in the area delivering milk from another van.

The vehicle was finally found abandoned in Walker Street, Blackburn, by a farmer who recognised it.

It was not damaged but the tokens, used by people on benefits, were missing.

Mavis added: "After all this we still managed to deliver the rest of the milk, but it was a bit later than usual.

"I've been doing milk rounds for 19 years and it's the first time anything like this has happened, thank goodness."

Blackburn police are investigating and anyone with any information can contact 01254 51212.

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