A pensioner whose car was ruined by vandals has now had her replacement vehicle targeted.

Within hours of buying her new car, 67-year-old Janet Berry was distraught when thieves tried to break the lock, damaging paintwork with a screwdriver.

At her home at Wadards Meadow, Cogges estate, Witney, Mrs Berry said: "I can't believe it, it makes me want to cry.

"This is the second time in a matter of days we've suffered at the hands of these people."

On Sunday morning she and her husband Don, who is receiving treatment for cancer, awoke to find their red Nissan Micra turned on its side. The fuel tank was leaking petrol and endangering the cars of other neighbours.

It was taken away and declared a write-off, leaving the couple without their "lifeline" runaround car for hospital visits and shopping.

But neighbours rallied to help them and on Tuesday evening Mrs Berry went with family friend Peter Martin to West Oxfordshire Motor Auctions at Witney. He helped her to buy a Peugeot 206 for £1,500 and, because it had no road tax, parked it up for the night at his home in Woodstock Road.

Today he awoke to find thieves had tried to break in. The car was later being repaired at Witney's Old Mill Motors garage.

Police are still appealing for information on the first incident involving Mrs Berry's wrecked Nissan Micra which they called a "callous and potentially dangerous crime". It happened late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. The damage to the Peugeot is not connected.

Meanwhile, a public meeting is being organised to set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme on Mrs Berry's estate. The launch meeting is at Blake CofE Primary School on October 30, at 7pm.