A Hadlow student has been left devastated after a classic 1989 Mini which she inherited from her late grandmother was stolen.

Jess Baker has released a desperate plea for anyone who spots the red Mini Mayfair, which is missing its left wing mirror, to get in touch.

The 20-year-old said number plate recognition cameras last picked it up near Milton Keynes.

Miss Baker said: "I have recently been informed sadly the Mini is not local.

"On Tuesday the number plate was picked up on cameras first near Sevenoaks then around the M25.

"It was then picked up around Berkshire and the Thames Valley. The number plate has not been picked up on cameras since Tuesday afternoon, suggesting the Mini no longer has the same number plate.

"The final places the number plate was picked up were Dunstable, Ayelsbury, Milton Keynes, Luton and Reading."

Miss Baker, of Waterslippe, returned from a trip to London with her mother on Tuesday to find the car had disappeared from Noble Tree Road, Hildenborough, where it had been parked.

The vehicle, registration F199 LMV, was taken sometime between 6.20am and 6.10pm.

Miss Baker, who works as a sales consultant for Next, inherited the car from her grandmother after her death last year.

Miss Baker, who is studying physiotherapy at St George’s University of London, said her car has Beadles Sidcup and SELKent Mini Club stickers in the rear window.

She said: “This car is of monumental sentimental value to my family. We are all suffering because heartless low-lives stole the car my nan loved so dearly.

“I am completely distraught and heartbroken by what has happened and feel like I have lost my nan all over again.

“Please help me bring the Mini home.

“We are trying to get this information out there as much as possible. I want to know I have done everything possible to at least try to find it, even though I realise deep down I likely will never see it again.”

Anyone with information can contact Miss Baker directly on 07576 843853 or Kent Police by calling 101 quoting YY-8823-16.