Some of Biggin Hill’s most vulnerable residents are without a vital minibus this week after it was stolen and damaged.

Biggin Hill Community Care Association reported the callous theft on Facebook yesterday morning after contacting the police.

The minibus, which has Biggin Hill Community Care written across the side, was taken from St Marks Church in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A social media plea read: "This bus is much needed for our service, please phone the police if you spot anything."

Stephanie Waddington, who works at the charity, told News Shopper: "We were quite shocked. It was disappointing and we got the message out on social media and we were pretty horrified."

Hours after the Facebook appeal a man contacted the charity to say the van was parked in Peter Avenue in Oxted.

However, it was significantly damaged and is currently out of action.

"Externally we lost a wing mirror but most of the damage was on the inside," Stephanie said.

"They took out the ignition, removed a rear view camera, monitor and the panelling on the dashboard."

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The charity fears the van will be out of action for at least a week leaving dozens of people stranded.

Biggin Hill Community Care Association runs a day centre twice a week where people are given three meals.

Those without transport are collected on the minibus before being dropped home in the evening.

An assisted shopping scheme also takes place on Fridays where residents are picked up on the bus to go to Waitrose before heading for coffee.

Stephanie thanked everyone who shared the appeal on social media.

"We want to say a thank you because it got shared in quite a lot of places," she said. "The chap that responded about where it was did so under out post."