A MOBILE car cleaner is unable to work after thieves stole his new £12,000 van and all of his equipment.

John Pratt, of Station Road, Leigh, was watching television completely oblivious to the fact that thieves were just metres away snatching his red Ford Transit.

It was only when the 32-year-old went outside for a cigarette that he discovered the van had disappeared.

His partner Paula Vincent, also 32, said: "It was a bit eerie really. It’s weird because we were here.

“Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.

“I have seen on Facebook that another van went missing on the same night.”

Mr Pratt had purchased the van, which has distinctive luminous yellow stripes on the back, for his valet business.

He had filled the vehicle up with £1,000 worth of equipment just days before the theft, purchasing a new hoover and water tank.

The theft means he has no way of getting to or serving his customers.

Miss Vincent added: “Before we went to bed he went to have a cigarette and he said: ‘It’s gone’.

“He was just so shocked. He spent every penny getting all the equipment and he’s devastated.

“He works hard anyway and that was to improve what he does but now it has put us back.”

The van, with registration plate LM13EWE, was taken between 10pm and 11.15pm on Monday, June 13.

Mr Pratt took to Facebook to urge people to help reunite him with the vehicle.

He posted: “Anybody that knows me knows that that van is my work and I just completed kitting it out with over £1,000 worth of valeting equipment.

“I've literally had it for just over a week.

“No van equals no wages for myself and my family. I’m completely distraught to say the least. Please share and if anybody heard anything let me know.”

Anyone with information can contact Essex Police on 101.