A MAN putting his car away in a garage was assaulted by balaclava-clad robbers in a violent vehicle robbery in Rossendale.

The incident, in Grasmere Road, Helmshore. happened at 10pm on Monday, but police have only just released details of the incident despite saying they need witnesses.

A 28-year-old man was putting his Audi S4 in the garage when the robbers wearing balaclavas assaulted him and stole the car.

Some 50 minutes later, the Audi was involved in a crash in Oldham and was found on its roof.

Detective Inspector Derek Jones warned all car owners across East Lancashire to be on their guard following the robbery.

DI Jones said: "I would also ask members of the public to be extra vigilant as there have been a couple of similar offences in the area recently where opportunist thieves have followed motorists to their home and stolen their cars."

l Two men have been charged in connection with a separate incident in which a couple were coshed with wooden planks before a high-perfomance car was stolen.

Geoffrey Pearson and Daniel Mather, have been charged with aggravated burglary and two counts each of wounding with intent following a robbery in Poplar Terrace, Rawtenstall, on Sunday, in which an Audi A3 Sport Quattro was stolen.

Pearson, 27, from Salford and Mather, 22, from Bredbury, were due to appear before Burnley magistrates today.