Pensioner says he was left livid when he discovered Wantage police station was closed after travelling there to complain about a car abandoned in front of his garage.

Bill Caldwell, 82, of Three Pigeons Close, Wantage, initially only called Thames Valley Police on Monday, December 15, to report the car, which he believed was stolen.

But Mr Caldwell said he was "fobbed" off by an Abingdon police station operator.

He needed his car from the garage to drive into Wantage town centre to pick up some shopping for his housemate Beryl McGeown, 82, who suffers from leg ulcers.

So he paid £6 for a taxi to take him to Wantage police station to get the car removed.

But when he arrived at about 8.30am he discovered the station was closed.

Mr Caldwell, who has emphysema, which causes breathing difficulties, said: "I was livid because stations should open 24-hours a day.

"It disturbs me that the police cannot keep their stations open when they are demanding more money."

Thames Valley Police spokesman Victoria Evans said the police recovery service was called at 9.15am to remove the car, after receiving a call at 8.10am.

She said there were no plans for longer opening hours at the station.