A ROOKIE policeman last night described how he escaped when a car thief drove off with him hanging on to the stolen vehicle.

New recruit Steven Brown, 21, tried to removed the keys from the ignition, but was forced to jump clear as the accelerating car approached a tree.

Police are now hunting for the young thief, who drove over PC Brown's ankle and sped off.

Recovering at home last night, PC Brown, of Chester-le-Street police, said: "I was very lucky. I haven't suffered any broken bones. My injuries could have been much worse.

"We know who the suspect is and it only a matter of time before we get him."

PC Brown was driving with colleague PC Jane Goodfellow in the town's Second Avenue, when they spotted the 18-year-old in a black Honda Civic, which had been stolen in Tantobie, Stanley.

He said: "I saw the driver covering his face with his hands and looking up to see where he was going, which immediately made me suspicious.

"I went up to the car and tried to reach for the ignition keys through the partially-closed window. As I did so he suddenly accelerated and spun off.

"I was running in big steps to keep up with the car when I noticed we were approaching a tree.

"I was forced to jump or I would have struck it. As I fell, his back wheel went over my foot."

PC Brown, who was treated at Dryburn Hospital in Durham suffered a ligament injury.

Acting Inspector Gerry Finn said: "This was a very nasty incident which shows the lengths some people are prepared to go to.

"The driver must have known he had injured PC Brown."

The stolen car, registration P793MSF, has not been traced