The van which knocked down a West Midlands policeman and left him critically ill on the day he had been due to collect a bravery award had been stolen.

The white Transit LDV Maxus van hit Pc Robin Haddock, a father of four, in the early hours of Tuesday after being pulled over for failing to stop at a red light in Bloxwich.

The driver reversed the van into the marked squad car and Pc Haddock, based at Bloxwich Police Station, suffered serious head injuries.

Police recovered the stolen van at around 3.30am on Wednesday, several miles from the scene of the incident in Sneyd Lane.

The burned-out vehicle was found in Ezekiel Lane, Short Heath, Willenhall, and is now being examined by forensics officers.

Detectives investigating the case are working to trace the owner of the stolen van. They are not releasing further details about the vehicle.

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Catherine Preece said today that the 49-year-old officer was steadily improving but remained in a serious condition in hospital.

Pc Haddock joined West Midlands Police 20 months ago and was due to pick up a commendation at the Police Authority Awards at Tally Ho! in Edgbaston on Tuesday night.

The former electrician and RAF employee was nominated after arresting a man who poured petrol over two colleagues in Brownhills in April.

Anyone with information should contact the incident room, at police headquarters in Birmingham on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.