UPDATE: This story was updated after Thames Valley Police released a description of the offender.

A CAR was stolen during a test drive in Beaconsfield which left a car dealership employee with a broken hand.

Between 3pm and 3.09pm on Friday the offender stole a blue Chrysler Grand Voyager estate, registration KV10 BBE, in a lay-by on the A355 Beaconsfield, just before junction two of the M40.

At about 2.30pm a man arrived at Hughes Beaconsfield in Station Road, Beaconsfield and was offered a test drive in a car he was looking at. The offender initially declined, so a member of staff drove.

After he had driven for a while he pulled into a lay-by and swapped seats, but the offender said he could not work the controls to move his seat.

As the employee got to the driver's side, the offender started the car and pulled out into the carriage way, with the victim holding on to the door. As the car increased speed, the victim let go and fell into the road, breaking his left hand and suffering minor cuts and grazes to his right hand.

Police have described the offender as Asian, in his late twenties or early thirties, 5ft 7ins, clean shaven, of medium build, with short dark hair.

He was wearing a blue pinstripe suit with a lighter blue shirt underneath. He had the shirt collar open and was not wearing a tie.

He was also wearing brown woollen gloves and was carrying a small black canvas bag with two handles and no strap. Officers said he was well-spoken with a London accent.

Spokesman for the Hughes group Jessica Gardiner said everyone at the car dealership were shocked to hear about the theft and their first concern was for the welfare of the staff member.

She said: "As soon as we were alerted to the incident a colleague went to their assistance and did everything possible to help.

"Fortunately the staff member involved in the incident has already returned to work after a couple of days rest. Since returning not only has the staff member received well wishes from colleagues, but also some of our customers who heard about the incident have sent in cards as well."

Ms Gardiner said the firm has always taken the safety of its sale executives seriously on test drives and already has a number of processes in place that has served it well in the past.

She added: "However after this recent incident we will investigate if the current processes can be improved to avoid any further incidents of this nature from happening again."

Anyone with any information should contact Det Con Nicola Douglas via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.