A MIDDLEWICH teenager is devastated after vandals caused thousands of pounds of damage to his dream car.

Mark Anderson parked his silver P-registration Citroen Saxo VTR outside the White Horse pub, on Lewin Street, at around 9.30pm on Saturday night - only to discover that it had been 'completely trashed' when he returned 15 minutes later.

The 18-year-old, who passed his driving test only three months ago, said he has been saving for the car since high school and estimates the total damage caused is more than £4,000.

He said: "They ripped the back windscreen wiper off and used it to scratch the whole side of the car - they've taken off loads of paint work. Then they smashed the driver's window, kicked the door in, ripped the aerial off the roof and pulled my registration plates off."

Mark said he is disgusted and called the culprits 'thugs', adding that he thought the attack had been caused because of jealousy.

He added: "I've spent about £1,000 on it for alloy wheels and extras, on top of what I paid for it in the first place.

"I'm absolutely gutted. I'm only 18 and it's taken quite a while to save up for it. It was my dream car, I've wanted one since I was 15."

Mark, who works in Alsager as an electrician, now has to rely on his colleagues for transport to work and faces a massive hike in his car insurance, which already costs nearly £4,000 per year.

He said: "I've been really depressed all weekend - how could somebody do that?"

PC Amy Fletcher, from Congleton Community Action Team, confirmed that there had been an incident at the pub on December 4 and said a police investigation is under way.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information which may be able to help police with their inquiries is urged to contact PC Fletcher by ringing 01244 613538 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

gsproston@guardiangrp.co.uk