A TEACHER from Timperley bravely fought off would-be thieves who dragged her from her car in a bid to steal it.

Trish Adams had gone into Tesco, on Altrincham Road, Baguley, at about 11pm on Wednesday to buy treats for her year 11 pupils at Audenshaw School.

As Trish returned to the car park about 15 minutes later and got into her silver Nissan Z350 convertible, two men in balaclavas confronted her.

Trish said: “They were banging on the glass and they demanded I handed over my keys. It was a nightmare.”

One of the men opened the door and tried to snatch the keys out of her hands, dragging her out of the car and onto the floor.

Trish refused to let go, causing the key bunch to split and added: “While they were rummaging for the keys on the floor I tried to restrain one of the men and was punched in the face. They found the key and got into the driver and passenger seats. While this was happening I was screaming blue murder.”

One of the offenders tried to start the car but could not.

Trish, whose glasses were broken and jacket was ripped during the attack, managed to drag him from the driver’s seat before falling to the ground again.

Two women came to her aid and the would-be carjackers ran off empty-handed.

They were dressed in black tracksuits, appeared to be aged 16 or 17 and were about 5ft 6ins tall.

Trish was taken by ambulance to Wythenshawe Hospital’s Accident & Emergency Unit where she was x-rayed and given painkillers.

Greater Manchester Police offered the following advice: Do not have valuables on view - lock them in the boot.

Do not leave jackets/coats on view in the car.

Ensure all windows, doors and the boot are locked.

Be aware of youths loitering near vehicles or at traffic lights.

If targeted, draw attention, sound the horn and flash the headlights.

Do not get out of the car or challenge thieves.

Report all incidents.