A BRAVE Prestwich woman was chased into her home by a masked thug after disturbing thieves attempting to steal a nearby car.

Police are hunting the gang who ran off after abandoning their bid to drive off with a Volkswagen Golf vehicle in North Road on Monday evening.

Police say the 27-year-old woman had temporarily left her home in West Road to retrieve something from her car outside.

She was with an 11-year-old girl when she heard the VW Golfs car alarm go off.

A police spokesman said: "The woman went over and saw a male wearing a black ski mask inside the car and three or four others, also wearing ski masks, in a nearby alley.

"One of the males ran towards her, but she was able to get back into her house and to shut the door. The gang then ran off in various directions without stealing the car."

Police investigations into the incident, which happened at 6.15pm on Monday, are continuing.