A RED-faced car salesman was left without his motor when it was stolen by a thief on a test drive.

The salesman, from Darlington's Reg Vardy car show room, had been asked by a man, posing as a customer, to take a £10,500 Vauxhall Vectra for a drive.

Just minutes into their journey, he was asked to pull into a lay-by because the man, who claimed he worked at Orange, wanted to look under the bonnet. Seizing his chance while the salesman was out of the car, the thief then grabbed the keys and drove off.

The salesman was only able to raise the alert when he managed to flag down a member of staff who happened to be passing.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the theft, on Wednesday on the A67 near Morton Park, on the outskirts of Darlington.

Sergeant Dave Turner, of Darlington police, said: "Anyone who saw the incident, at about 2.25pm, should get in touch."

Neil Ferguson, general manager of Darlington Reg Vardy, said staff had now been told to be vigilant following the theft.

The man police are seeking is described as being about 26 years old and 6ft tall. He was clean shaven, with dark hair, parted down the middle, and was wearing a blue pin-striped suit.

The car was blue and had the registration T436 PEF.