A motorist sitting in his car at Whipsnade was attacked and robbed by a man clutching a screwdriver.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crime, which happened on Monday night and left the victim needing hospital treatment after he suffered a fit.

He was sitting in his black Vauxhall Astra in the National Trust car park at Bison Hill when the thief came to his window and asked for a cigarette paper.

When the victim, who is in his late 30s, explained he did not have one, he was punched in the face - causing his glasses to smash - and hit over the head.

The attacker grabbed the man's Sony Ericsson mobile telephone, damaged a wing mirror and made off in a vehicle with three other people inside.

The victim, who suffered cuts to his forehead and under his eye, was found by a passing police patrol. The attack brought on a fit and he was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, and later discharged.

Det Con Louisa Glynn, investigating, said the robber was white and wore a white T-shirt.

She is keen to speak to anyone who saw him and his accomplices hanging around in the car park, speaking to the Astra driver or making off.

She said: "This was a nasty, unprovoked attack on this gentleman who ended up suffering a fit as a result. We would urge anyone who saw anything to come forward and would stress all information will be treated in strict confidence."

Anyone who can help should contact Det Con Glynn, in confidence, on 01582 473331, the main switchboard on 01234 841212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Bedfordshire Police

Crimestoppers