A van driver sparked a chase across Maidstone when it's claimed he left a garage without paying for £500 of work.

Simon Reeves, owner of Red Oak Garage is appealing for help tracking down the white van man who visited the Buckland Road Industrial estate business on the afternoon of Thursday, March 24.

The man, described by Mr Reeves as having an Irish accent, asked for a replacement clutch to be fitted.

After the work was completed he asked to take it for a test drive, accompanied by a member of staff.

As soon as the pair arrived back at the garage and the worker left the vehicle, the van allegedly drove off, pursued by Mr Reeves and his staff.

“It really was like something out of an episode of The Sweeney,” said Mr Reeves. "As soon as our receptionist got out he just sped off."

The chase didn't last long as the Ford Transit soon become bogged down in town-centre traffic in St Peter's Street, and ended up turning back onto Buckland Hill which is near the garage. The driver came face to face with Mr Reeves.

Mr Reeves, a Langley Parish Councillor alleged he was forced to leap out of the way as the van drove towards him along Buckland Hill.

Now the 53-year-old has taken to Facebook to appeal for help tracking down the alleged scammer.

He said: "We know we won’t see any of our money back from the job but we are concerned.

“We just want justice."

The van doesn't appear to have a company name on it, but has Roofing and Guttering written in large blue letters on its side.

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police is investigating a report of theft and assault following an incident at Buckland Road Industrial Estate.

Officers were called at 4.50pm on Thursday March 24 following reports a man had driven off without paying for work carried out on his car and a man at the garage was assaulted. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information about the incident or the van can contact police on 101 quoting reference YY/006309/16.