Police are appealing for witnesses after a pensioner was struck by a transit van as he tried to stop two men stealing bricks from his front garden.

Police and paramedics were called to Hainault Road in Leytonstone this morning (Augusrt 25) to reports of a road accident, shortly before 6.45am.

When they arrived they found a 65-year-old man suffering from leg injuries.

He was treated at the scene before being rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital.

A spokeswoman for Scotland Yard, said: "A 65-year-old man reported that two men in a white transit van had pulled up in front of his house and attempted to take bricks from his drive.

"As he tried to stop them he was struck by the vehicle, which was then driven off towards Fairlop Road.

"His injuries are not considered life-threatening."

The suspects are described as white and were wearing high-visibility tabards at the time of the incident.

Hainault Road was closed for several hours but has since re-opened.

The incident is being investigated by Waltham Forest CID and no arrests have been made.

They are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to call them on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.