A Lakenham woman who suffers from arthritis has been left devastated after vandals broke into her garden and stole and damaged her scooter.

Winn Betts, who relies on her scooter to take her to help others around the city, has been left without transport and has had to give up some of her charity commitments because of the crime.

The 64-year-old widow used the scooter for everyday chores like shopping, but also volunteered for the Red Cross home from hospital scheme to help people who have been discharged.

'I have asked them not to allocate me anybody unless it's an emergency because it is so difficult for me to get to places. We think the bike is probably going to be written off,' she said.

'I can walk places but the more I walk the more it has an impact on my medical conditions.'

She does not expect to get a big insurance pay-out and will have to pay the �100 insurance excess. 'I am a pensioner, but somehow, somewhere, I am going to have to get another scooter,' she said.

The scooter was at her home on Arnold Miller Road, near Long John Hill. It was locked in the garden and under cover. The scooter was taken and later recovered a short distance from where it was stolen on Netherwood Road. The steering lock on the City Trek moped had been broken. It is thought somebody knew it was there.

She said that it would now take her twice as long to get anywhere.

Mrs Betts has done voluntary work since 1982 and raises money for many charities.

A police spokesman said they wanted to hear from anyone with information about two men who were seen acting suspiciously in the area in the early hours of Monday, April 25.

Contact the Lakenham and Tuckswood Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Have you lost something precious because of criminals? Contact Evening News reporter Annabelle Dickson on 01603 772426 or email annabelle.dickson@archant.co.uk.