A PENSIONER was hit with a baseball bat by a thief who got away with thousands of pounds in a robbery on Monday morning.

The 67-year-old was driving to a bank with takings from a County Durham club when he was attacked by a masked robber.

Alan Bramhald had collected more than £7,000 from Tindale Crescent Workingmen's Club and Institute, near Bishop Auckland, where he is secretary, to deposit it at a bank.

As he travelled along Watling Road in a grey Volvo car, he slowed down for a car leaving Proudfoot Drive.

The car, a dark green Rover 216, registration J459 LTL, pulled out of the junction and swerved in front of Mr Bramhald, and a masked man wielding a baseball bat jumped out.

He smashed a rear window hit Mr Bramhald with the bat as he tried to fend him off, and grabbed the money from behind Mr Bramhald's seat.

The robber, who was well-built and wore dark clothes and a balaclava, jumped back in the Rover, which sped away.

The Rover, believed to have been driven by a second man, was later found behind Dale Street, where the culprits are thought to have had another car waiting.

Mr Bramhald, a grandfather-of-five, said: "At first I thought it was going to be a car crash, but when someone went for the money, I turned round and he hit me.

"I was badly bruised but not seriously hurt. He lashed out at me then ran off.

"I have been involved with the club for 33 years and this is not going to deter me. I hope anyone with information comes forward to help the police."

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to call Bishop Auckland CID on (01388) 603566.