AN ugly thief was caught at a bus stop with a basket of shopping he had stolen.

The man, wearing a fluorescent jacket, walked into the Co-op on Huddersfield Road, Meltham, at 4.30pm on Friday.

He put beer and meat in one of the store's wire baskets, then walked straight out of the supermarket.

A member of staff followed him and caught up with him at a nearby bus stop.

She grabbed the basket back and returned to the store with it.

The thief is white, aged about 35 and 5ft 3in tall. He has a bulbous, bloated appearance and a blotchy, ruddy complexion.

The whites of his eyes are grey and he has thick lips and dirty teeth.

He wore a high-visibility yellow jacket, a black woolly bobble hat and a navy blue scarf.

Sgt Tim O'Sullivan, of Huddersfield police, said: "He is distinctive, so someone must know who he is."

Anyone with information should ring Pc Andy Turner on 01484 436876.