A MAN was left lying in the road with head injuries after his vehicle was stolen.

Police are trying to piece together how the man was injured and abandoned on the road between Coundon and Leasingthorne, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, at about 2pm last Wednesday.

The man, who has not been named, is said to be local and in his thirties. He was treated overnight at Darlington Memorial Hospital for head injuries.

He is helping Bishop Auckland police with their inquiries and an appeal has been made for witnesses to come forward.

A silver M-registration Toyota Landcruiser and a green Ifor Williams horse trailer, which belonged to the man, were taken from the scene.

Detective Constable Graeme Raper said: "We are hoping that motorists who were in the area might have seen something and would ask them to come forward.

"The police were alerted by a passer-by and we would like to hear from anyone who either saw the man in the road or the vehicles to contact us."

Det Con Raper can be contacted on (01388) 603566.