RETIRED postal worker Geoff Blackford was beaten by three masked thugs who then drove off with his £48,000 Range Rover.

The 64-year-old was punched in the face and suffered cuts and bruising in Tuesday night's attack.

Police are now trying to trace the Range Rover which was fitted with a television and state-of-the-art satellite navigation device.

Mr Blackford was preparing to return to his home in Bury from his 94-year-old father's home in Agecroft Road West, Prestwich, and had just emerged from the house when he was grabbed from behind by a man wearing a black balaclava.

He said: "Being grabbed was a shock but I put up a good fight with this thug. Two other men, both wearing masks, then jumped in.

"After shouting for help one of the men told me to shut up. I was hit across the jaw when I again called for help. I continued defending myself but was then unbalanced and fell to the ground. Two of the attackers held my arms while the other man searched my pockets."

Mr Blackford's car keys and wallet containing £50 in cash were grabbed by the robbers who jumped into the Range Rover and sped away.

Mr Blackford said he bought the car just four months ago and believed the car thieves had monitored his movements long before the attacked.

He said: "My wife, Ann, and I take it in turns to look after my father, Leslie, who is aged 94. I spend most of the day with him and my wife stays over night. I was going back to my own house when the robbery happened.

Mr Blackford said following a growing trend for carjacking incidents, the keys to the Range Rover were modified to only unlock the driver's door.

"I have always been careful and have done everything possibly to try and prevent carjackers from taking my car," he said. "However, you cannot guard against being attacked in the street and despite putting up a good fight they still managed to steal my car.

"I don't think I'll ever see the car again -- this type of vehicle is stolen to order -- but I am also fortunate not to have been more seriously injured."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to come forward.

"Mr Blackford was left very shaken after the incident but was not seriously injured."

Call Bury police on 0161 872 5050.

Man, 64,

beaten up

by car

thieves