A MAN who was attacked by two would-be-thieves is facing a bleak Christmas because his injuries mean he can no longer work.

The 32-year-old Securicor driver, who does not want to be named, was attacked as he made a delivery to the Co-op chemist, in York Road, Hartlepool.

As he left the shop, the men, in their early twenties, tried to grab his keys, but were forced to flee empty-handed after he fought back.

The father-of-two, from Middlesbrough, who was contracted to Securicor from an agency, sustained a fractured cheek bone, which has left him with temporarily blurred vision in one eye.

The injury means he cannot work and faces Christmas without a job.

He said: "I noticed the men as I was going into the chemist because they made some comment about a television I had in the van.

"When I left the shop they came at me from the side and hit me with something.

"They wanted my keys because you can't open the van without them, but I kept them in my pocket.

"I hit one of the men and then they both ran off. I crawled back into my van and drove back to the depot in Stockton.

"I've lost my job now because I can't drive. They didn't take anything from the van but they have taken a bit of my pride and my job."

The attack happened at 6.10pm on Monday. Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to call them on (01642) 326326.