AN ABERGAVENNY market trader is grateful that he is to get his van back after it was stolen while he was unloading it.

Dominic Roberts runs a sweet and cake stall at the town market and said he had arrived on Monday night to set up in preparation for the Tuesday market.

He said: "I left the van open as I was ferrying stock from the van. I must have been watched because at 6.30pm a thief got into the vehicle and got it going and was out of there in a matter of seconds.

"I immediately jumped into my wife's car and gave chase. I caught up with the thief driving my van at the Hardwick roundabout and followed it towards Gilwern when the vehicle suddenly veered into the chicken factory complex where I lost it."

The incident was reported to the police and two hours later an officer patrolling around the Llanelly Hill area found the van in a side road.

The van has now been towed away for forensic examination leaving Mr Roberts with a £170 release fee and a sizeable bill for new locks.

Gwent Police were unable to comment on the incident as they have no recorded log for the theft.