A single mother whose car was stolen was told to pay £50 to retrieve her daughter's toy pushchair from the boot.

The D-registration Vauxhall Belmont was taken from outside Suze Parker's home in Denton Drive, Brighton.

Miss Parker reported it missing and the car was found by the police the following day and taken to a pound in Shoreham.

But after calculating the damage caused to the vehicle, her insurance excess and the £105 release fee, Miss Parker said it was not worth claiming it back.

She agreed to cut her losses and allow the vehicle to be crushed but asked if two items could be removed from the boot.

She said: "In the boot was a toy pushchair and a box I bought from the PDSA. I said I would sign over the car but asked for these two items for sentimental reasons. But they asked me for £50.

"It seems such an injustice. I have been a victim of crime and because my car was trashed I have been asked to pay again."

Miss Parker said her eight-year-old daughter, Hannah, was particularly upset about her pushchair.

However, when The Argus contacted Sussex Police, they had a change of heart and agreed to waive the £50 fee.

A force spokeswoman said: "We have looked at this case and the lady has now been told she can get her stuff out of the boot.

"The fee is standard policy and covers the cost of crushing the vehicle."