A MAN who drove a stolen car through a steel barrier narrowly missed hitting two people.

Police are looking for a man who took the vehicle from a car showroom in Droitwich yesterday afternoon.

After phoning BKG Motor Vehicles Ltd, in St George's Square, to check that a blue BMW 525 Sport Auto, which had been advertised in Audo Trader and on the internet, was still for sale, the man visited the garage just after 2pm.

The garage-owner was dealing with other customers when the man - who was of Asian origin and in his 20s - arrived, so he moved the vehicle closer to the showroom where he could see it more clearly as the man viewed it.

When the man asked to hear the engine, the owner started the car - which was on for sale £9,990 - before both men looked under the bonnet.

The man then sat in the driver's seat as the owner walked round to the passenger side to get the log-book.

The offender then shut and locked the doors and reversed out of the forecourt. The garage owner ran and pushed the gates shut, but had to jump out of the way as the car was driven into them.

One of the gates sprang open and the driver sped through - narrowly missing a passing cyclist - before making off towards the A38.

"This was not only a very serious and audacious car crime but the victim and the cyclist came extremely close to being seriously hurt," said a police spokesperson.

"The car had serious damage to its front end and the price tag was still in the window so it will have been hard to miss when being driven afterwards."

Anyone who saw the incident, knows where the car - registration Y645XAN - is or has any other information should call police on 08457 444888.

Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.