A terrified woman motorist has told how she was in fear of her life when car-jackers attempted to steal her car.

The 47-year-old woman said she was left shaking with fear when the attacker tried to break into her Audi saloon car and then chased after her.

However, the courageous female driver managed to think quickly and sped off, losing her assailant in a nearby housing estate.

And now she is warning other motorists to keep their car doors locked to keep the criminals at bay.

The attempted car-jacking happened in Hospital Road, Riddlesden, on Tuesday evening, between 7 and 7.15pm.

The woman said: "I was turning around at the top of Hospital Road when I noticed a small white car had whizzed past me and turned around.

"I was waiting for it to come past me, but instead it screeched to a halt next to me and the driver flung open his door.

"His face was only inches away and he was screaming at me to get out of the car, grabbing hold of the door handle and brandishing a screwdriver."

The woman, who does not wish to be named, said she started blasting the horn in the hope that someone would ring the police.

"When he went for the window with the screwdriver I thought, if he shatters that, I'm for the screwdriver next, so I knew I had to go for it.

"I managed to see a small gap and roared off like a bat out of hell. They followed me, but I managed to lose them."

She added: "It was very unnerving and the experience left me feeling like someone had kicked me in the chest.

"This is a warning to everyone that it could happen to you and I would urge people to keep their car doors locked."

Police have praised the woman for her quick thinking in such a dangerous situation.

Detective Chief Inspector Roger Gasson, of Keighley CID, said: "We are looking for witnesses to this incident and we are also warning that if this does happen to you, you should do exactly as this woman did.

"Make sure your doors are locked, sound your horn, if you have a mobile phone call the police, and drive away as fast as you can to get assistance.

"This is only the second car-jacking I can recall in this area and it is still a new thing, although there have been a number of cases in Bradford."

Although she was very shaken by the incident the woman was not hurt.

The attacker is described as a good looking Asian male in his late teens to early twenties, of slim build and wearing smart clothing.

He was driving a small, white, box-style hatchback, possibly an old model Nissan Micra. There were two other Asian youths with him in the car.

Anyone with information should contact Keighley CID on 01535617083.