A 75-year-old man who was looking for his family's stolen car was knocked down by a thief who was driving the vehicle.

The man was hit outside Horwich Leisure Centre on Monday as the offender reversed out of a space.

The elderly victim had been called to the scene by a family member who had discovered his car had been stolen from outside All Seasons Leisure Centre in Chorley.

The car's owner had tracked the vehicle to Horwich, using an in-car tracking device.

It is believed that the thief had parked the vehicle, which had been taken from Chorley Leisure Centre, and had gone inside Horwich Leisure Centre.

The man who was looking for the vehicle arrived at the scene and as he tried to stop the vehicle he was knocked down as the car was reversed.

After reversing into the man, the offender then fled the scene in the stolen car in the direction of Horwich town centre.

Lancashire Police confirmed that the silver Vauxhall Corsa had been stolen from outside All Seasons Leisure Centre in Chorley around 4.30pm on Monday.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "It appears the keys had been dropped outside the leisure centre.

"The car has been tracked with an in-car tracker to Horwich Leisure Centre."

An appeal was put on a buy and sell site on Facebook asking for people to come forward who had seen the vehicle following the "hit and run".

The post said that the owner of the vehicle had been in the leisure centre and came out to find that his car was missing.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they were initially called to reports of a stolen vehicle at 5.20pm.

The investigation is now being treated as an assault after the man was hit by the car.

North West Ambulance confirmed that they sent a rapid response vehicle to the scene and the man was treated for minor injuries.

Greater Manchester Police said that the vehicle had not been recovered.

A spokesman for Bolton Council confirmed that Horwich Leisure Centre staff were aware of the incident and were supporting the police with their inquiries.

Lancashire Police said that as the incident moved from their force area it had been passed on to Greater Manchester Police to investigate further.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing for anyone with any information to come forward by calling 101 quoting incident 1682 of September 19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.