A DELIVERY van driver was hit over the head with an iron bar when two men tried to steal his vehicle in Selby.

The attempted robbery happened at about 2pm yesterday as the man was delivering electrical goods to a site in Canal Road.

The driver had parked his Mercedes van when the two men approached.

They demanded the keys to the van as the driver stood next to his vehicle. When he refused, he was hit over the head just above his left eye with the iron bar.

Police said the driver then hit one of his attackers, who ran off up an alleyway in the direction of Bawtry Road.

Detective Constable Pete Masterman, of Selby CID, said the driver was lucky to have suffered only a glancing blow from the iron bar.

He said: "He was very fortunate. He could have sustained some very serious injuries."

Det Con Masterman said the driver made his own way to Selby War Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The two men were described as white and in their early twenties. One man was wearing a black top and blue jeans, and had brown hair and a goatee beard.

His accomplice had brown hair and had stubble on his face. He was wearing a black Adidas top and black jeans.

Anyone with information should contact Selby CID on 01757 702596.

Updated: 15:22 Monday, October 29, 2001