A pensioner fought off car-jackers after they attacked him with a table leg and screwdriver in the latest strike on sports cars.

The 72-year-old man was threatened by four Asians yesterday afternoon while he was visiting relatives with his wife in Nab Wood Drive, Shipley.

It was the fifth time drivers in the area had been attacked in the past month.

The Guiseley pensioner, a retired merchant seaman, driving a Subaru Impreza, had made a call to a house on Haworth Road, Heaton, where an Asian man chatted to him about homes in the area.

Then at 1.45pm yesterday, the Impreza driver stopped at Nab Wood Drive where he was attacked.

The pensioner's son-in-law, who did not want to be named, said: "My father-in-law had stopped on the drive when they came at him with a screwdriver and a piece of wood, saying: 'Give us the car keys'.

"He kicked one of them and I think he hurt him because they went racing off. He was pretty shaken but all right.

"This type of thing is becoming more frequent and we are all very worried."

Detective Inspector Trevor Gasson, of Keighley CID, said: "As he pulled up, he heard a car screech and four men jumped out of a black car. They demanded the car keys for his Impreza.

"He managed to fend them off. He was uninjured but it could have been worse."

The shaken man described one of the attackers as thin, in his early 20s, with long thin face and a Mexican-style moustache and sallow complexion. He wore light jeans, a navy top and navy hat.

Another man was about 6ft, thin and clean-shaven with a beige hooded top and light-coloured trousers. A third man was also in his early 20s and wore a green top.

Detectives today appealed for witnesses to the attack or to anyone who saw a black vehicle following a silver Subaru Impreza from Heaton to Shipley, to get in touch.

The attack is the fifth incident since December 10. In two, the car was stolen and the other three were attempts.

Mr Gasson said that although there was no evidence to link the incidents, they were looking at it in conjunction with the other crimes. He also warned people in the area to be on their guard, particularly if they own high-performance cars.

"If you think you are being followed, go directly to your nearest police station," he added.

Witnesses are asked to ring Keighley CID on (01535) 617083 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.