Motorist Tamara Morris returned from holiday to find her car had been broken into - and police had accidentally crushed it.

Now Ms Morris, who is in her 40s, is locked in a battle with Sussex Police who have offered her just £600 compensation for the F-registration Volkswagen Golf.

She said: "When they told me what they'd done I couldn't believe my ears."

Ms Morris parked the vehicle legally in Aymer Road, Hove, while she went away to visit her father.

On returning a fortnight later she discovered it was missing.

She said: "I contacted the police and was told it had been broken into, someone had been arrested and the police had the car in their possession.

"I waited for them to tell me where it was. When I hadn't heard anything I went to Hove police station to find out what had happened.

"As I was chatting with the policeman, I found out my car had inadvertently been crushed."

Ms Morris was asked to find receipts for the car, which she bought 12 months earlier for £750. She also handed over receipts for a stereo and roof rack which had been fitted.

She said: "They then sent me a letter with an offer of £600 which I think is insulting. It's not even as much as I paid for the car and what about the inconvenience I have suffered?

"I wrote to them a month ago now saying I was not happy but have not yet heard back. I am so irritated and frustrated."

Ms Morris said she was considering taking legal action if the force refused to increase its offer.

A police spokeswoman said: "We are very sorry this happened. We've accepted liability but unfortunately so far have not been able to agree on the value of the car."