A 50-year-old man is recovering after he tried to stop a burglar breaking into his house.

The victim went out on Tuesday evening and when he returned to his home in Fairview Gardens, Leigh, at around 9.30pm, he saw somebody helping himself to his belongings.

He confronted the burglar who punched him in the face.

The attacker ran away taking a Head sports bag, books, £250, a navy blue Chrisbasher hiking jacket and an old £50 note.

The angry victim chased after the raider and caught up with him in London Road.

There was a struggle, more punches were thrown and the burglar got away. Police are appealing for witnesses.

The attacker is described as a white man in his mid-20s, stocky, 6ft tall with light brown, short cropped hair. He wore dark coloured clothes.

The victim was taken to hospital suffering from minor injuries.

If you can help call Southend police on 01702 431212 quoting reference C42 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.