A would-be thief has been left nursing a badly scratched face after trying to flee from an angry homeowner.

Roofer Nicky Moignard disturbed the intruder in the kitchen of his home in Manston Close, Bicester, and chased after him. But the burglar landed face-first in some prickly undergrowth after he clambered over Mr Moignard's garden fence.

Police say he would have suffered cuts and scratches to his hands and face.

The confrontation happened after Mr Moignard ignored a knock at his front door.

He looked out of an upstairs window but did not recognise the man outside.

But when the 44-year-old was just about to go for a shower, he heard a bang from the wheelie bins at the side of his house.

By the time he got downstairs the thief was in his kitchen.

Mr Moignard said: "I don't normally answer the door to anyone I don't know. But when I heard the bins, I knew something was wrong.

"The intruder had managed to come in the kitchen door - which I had not locked. He got one foot in before I chased him off.

"I managed to hit him on the back of the head before he fell into the bushes."

And he warned other householders to be vigilant. "There are a few other end-of-terrace properties in the area which have access all the way around and, because a lot of people are at work during the day, I don't want them to become victims of burglary," he said.

The incident took place at about 3pm on December 5, although details were only released by police last week.

The man was white, had short brown hair and a slight moustache. He was wearing a blue anorak and jeans.

Pc Mike West, of Bicester police, said: "While escaping this man climbed over a fence and fell head first into a bush at the side of the garden.

"Due to the nature of the undergrowth, it is highly likely he will have suffered cuts and scratches to his face and hands."

Anyone with information about the incident should call Bicester police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.