An 81-year-old has been left isolated in her own home after thieves vandalised her car and stole the catalytic converter.

The woman's daughter, Melissa Bridger, has branded the act against her "vulnerable and innocent" mum "disgusting behaviour".

The theft happened in Elm Road, St Mary's Bay on Romney Marsh when the thieves used a saw to cut through the exhaust.

Mrs Bridger, 49, said: "My mother, who is 81, has been shielding indoors since March.

"She has very limited mobility and her car was her lifeline.

"However, on Thursday, October 8, a neighbour noticed her exhaust laying on the ground.

"Somebody had been under her car and sawn through the exhaust in two places to steal the catalytic converter.

"I think they're valuable.

"My mum phoned me in tears."

Mrs Bridger, who lives in Crowborough, East Sussex, says the car - a Landrover Freelander - is likely a write off.

She said: "My mum now not only has no means of transport, but is facing her car being written off due to the cost of repair.

"This sort of behaviour is disgusting. It is theft from a vulnerable and innocent lady. Mum is terrified to go out the front door now.

"It's like she has been burgled. This has taken everything away from her and she feels unsafe. It has taken her freedom away.

"I feel angry and upset.

"We are all deeply saddened."

Catalytic converters, which converts exhaust emissions into less toxic substances, are often stripped from cars and sold on.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or go to kent.police.uk/ro/report/

Read more: All the latest news from Romney Marsh