The 25-year-old man woke in the early hours of Wednesday morning to the sound of his car engine switching on, and immediately ran outdoors wearing only a pair of boxer shorts.

According to reports, he grabbed the car door handle and held on as the would-be carjacker drove off.

Instead of letting go, he climbed on top of the vehicle and clung to the roof as the car reached speeds of up to 56 mph - with an outdoor temperature of -17 C.

Local police chief Jan Nesland said he clung on for several kilometres.

He then managed to smash the back window with his knee and struggled with the thief, driving the car into a safety barrier.

Mr Nesland told a local television reporter: “It’s not what we advise people to do but now he’s done it, it’s really an incredible story.”

A suspect has been taken into police custody and the man has received medical attention.