A pensioner is searching for the culprit who damaged and wrote off her car without owning up.

Jeanne Smith. 65, a part-time art teacher, of Toulmin Drive, St Albans, was at home on Sunday when she went out to her car at around 3pm - only to find her black Volkswagen Lupo had been smashed up.

Despite speaking to neighbours, Jeanne still has no idea what happened.

She said: “IIt’s a very quiet little road, but on the Sunday there are league matches in the nearby playing fields so I find it hard to see that nobody saw anything.”

If the culprit is not caught, Jeanne could face losing her no claims bonus and have to buy a new car.

She said: “I am not rich, I’m a pensioner! I don’t know what I am going to do. How someone could do that and just drive off I don’t know.

“It was such a strong and sturdy little car, it’s never given me any problems. I’m not going to be able to afford a new car now.”

Jeanne added: “ I drive to my job in Radlett and I can’t get there easily by public transport.”

Anyone with information should contact the police on the non-emergency number 101.