DETECTIVES have condemned two carjackers who beat up a Good Samaritan in Burnley and stole his car.

The 41-year-old victim, from Robin House Lane, Briercliffe, was alerted to a car parked outside his home by loud music being played from the vehicle at around 5am last Sunday.

Police say that when he went out to ask them what was the matter, two men stood by the Volkswagen Sirocco told him it had broken down.

Unknown to the 41-year-old, the Sirocco had been stolen earlier that day from the Marsden Road area of Burnley.

He put some fuel into the vehicle and towed the car to the Haggate bus terminus, using his own Subaru car.

But when they arrived the two men attacked the Good Samaritan, dragging him to the ground before driving off in the Subaru.

The car was later found abandoned in the Daneshouse Road area of Burnley, having been burned out and badly damaged.

Later the victim, who suffered punches and kicks to the head, was taken to Burnley General Hospital for treatment but was later allowed home after treatment.

Det Insp Sion Hall, of Burnley CID, said: "This was a particularly nasty incident when this man had acted like a Good Samaritan to them.

"It genuinely appears that this was a spur of the moment decision, with the Sirocco having been stolen, to attack the man and take the Subaru."

Detectives say the two men were both white and in their early 20s. It is believed there was a third man in the Sirocco but no description has been obtained of him.

People who witnessed the incident are asked to call Burnley CID on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.