A car thief evaded police during a pursuit after abandoning the car he stole and running off.

The suspect entered a property in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, in the early hours of Monday and stole a pair of car keys before driving off with the owner's white Ford Focus.

The incident happened at around 2.20am in the town's Westfield Road. The owner contacted police who caught up with the car nearby.

The suspect then abandoned the motor on Kirkton Road before running off along Glassnock Road in the direction of Bringan Road.

The man is described as around 21 to 25 years old, 5ft 5in, of slim build, with short dark hair and stubble. He was also wearing a grey hooded top.

Detective constable Robert Blackley from Kilmarnock CID said: "I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area in the early hours of Monday morning to get in touch.

"You can contact officers at Kilmarnock CID on 101."