A teenager spent more than 200 hours fixing up his car - only to have it vandalised.

Jimmy James, 16, of Hangleton Road, Hove, isn't even old enough to drive the J-reg maroon Ford Escort he bought eight months ago.

But it was his pride and joy and he spent an hour a night repairing the engine, replacing broken door panels and respraying the bodywork.

All the time he looked forward to the day he could take it on the road.

One night last week, however, would-be thieves did their utmost to put that date back.

Jimmy left the lights on and flattened the battery so his father moved the car into the road for recharging.

It was only outside for one night but the crooks tried to steal it.

Because the battery was still flat they were unable to start the car - but they caused £250 worth of damage by breaking the steering lock and ripping out the ignition.

Jimmy's father, also called Jimmy, said: "Jimmy's car was looking really beautiful. He had put a lot of hard work into it so obviously he was very upset when this happened.

"I was upset to think all the hours he had spent working on it were wasted."

Jimmy, who is studying A-Levels at Hove Park Sixth Form, said: "The battery going flat was bad luck for me but also good luck because at least I still have my car. It would have been stolen if the battery had been working."