A carjacker who attacked a 67-year-old man and stole his car is being hunted by police.

The offender crashed three stolen cars during a crime spree which started in Surrey and ended in Sussex.

He first targeted the female owner of a Ford Fiesta, who was dragged from her vehicle in a pub car park in Cranleigh, Surrey, at 9pm on November 11.

Though not physically hurt, police say the 46-year-old was left severely traumatised.

After stealing the Fiesta, the carjacker, in his mid 20s, sped south, crashing into a tree at Cox Green on the B2128 also in Surrey.

From there he fled on foot to a house in the Rudgwick area, near Horsham, where he was confronted by a householder.

He then ran down the road to where a 67-year-old man was putting out his wheelie bin.

He forced his way into the man's house, hitting him in the face before stealing his Rover and crashing it only metres from where it was parked.

The man needed hospital treatment for suspected fractures to his face.

The offender then ran about a quarter of a mile to Lynwick Street, near Rudgwick, where he smashed the window of a house with a flowerpot and stole the keys to a blue Peugeot 206 hatchback.

After speeding away he crashed on a bend and ran off.

Detective Constable Lin Stilwell, at Horsham CID, said all the vehicles had been recovered but it was important any witnesses or anyone with information should come forward.

She said: "It's possible this man may have gone to the A281 to be picked up or to hitch a lift near the Fox Pub at Bucks Green.

"This man would have been extremely noticeable and I would appeal to anyone who may have seen him running through Rudgwick, or trying to hitch a lift along the A281 Horsham to Guildford Road, to contact me."

The man is white, 5ft 6in with dark hair and wore dark clothing.

Call Ms Stilwell on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.