A WALLASEY homeowner has been left with serious leg injuries after being mowed down by his own car after he tried to stop thieves from stealing it.

The male victim - believed to be in his 40s - and his wife were sleeping in their Braunton Road home when they were woken by a noise at around 4.10am.

After going downstairs to investigate, the homeowner discovered the keys to the family's blue Vauxhall Zafira had been taken, with a burglar sitting inside the car on their driveway.

He tried to stop the offender from taking the vehicle and went to intervene but was run over by his own car as the burglar drove off at speed, stopping to pick up a second offender.

The victim was taken to Royal Liverpool University Hospital where he is receiving treatment for serious leg injuries. He remains in a serious condition although the injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

An investigation into the horrific incident is currently underway, with Wirral detectives appealing for information and speaking to witnesses. CCTV from the area is also being checked.

Detective Inspector John Griffith said: "This must have been a terrifying ordeal for the two victims who were awoken during the night to someone inside their house.

"One of the victims has been left with very serious injuries to his legs following this incident, in which the offender has made off with the victim's car after taking the car keys from inside the house.

"I would like to reassure the community that we are determined to find the person responsible and I would appeal for anyone who has information about the incident to call police."