The white van man and his son, Daniel, leapt into action when they heard the 2,500 pound Ford Transit being started up outside a house in Valley Road, Dewsburey, where the plasterers were working on a loft.

They jumped into a car and tailed the thief for a mile, with 39-year-old Shaun performing a daring handbrake turn to block the stolen vehicle.

He then dragged the man from the cab and pinned him to the ground until police arrived - after the drama revealing his main concern was for his favourite CD.

Courageous Shaun, who owns a plastering firm in Dewsbury, said: "I heard the van starting up. It only took me ten steps to get outside, I was that quick. I was blazing mad - apart from anything else, my favourite Deep Purple CD was in the van.

"I jumped in the car with my 16-year-old son Daniel, who is a plumbing student, and chased after him. We caught up with the van about a mile away after he stopped to let somebody out of a garage, shot past him and handbrake turned in front of him so he had no escape.

"I pulled him out of the van and pinned him to the floor until police arrived.

I had done a plaster mix at the house I was working at, and by the time I got back the texture was just right to go on the wall."

A 33-year old man has now been charged with the theft. Shaun had left his keys in the van and the opportunist thief had taken advantage.

Crimebusting Shaun added: "My first thought was my CD. I listen to it all the time when I'm driving and it's what keeps me going through the day. I can't be without it.

"The insurance wouldn't have paid out and there was my 2,500 pounds driving up the road. I would do the same again, but the message here is don't leave keys in your vehicle."

Det Con Steve Hall said: "Everyone has a right to protect their property and to make a citizen's arrest. But we recommend people not to challenge suspects and to err on the side of safety.

"Property is never as valuable as life or injury. It worked out well this time but we don't want people to go to extremes."