ARSONISTS have devastated a Droitwich Spa mum's dream car.

Debbie McCarthy-Maude, aged 40, was forced to cut short her holiday in Torquay, Devon, when firebugs set her purple Vauxhall Astra convertible alight.

Residents in the St Nicholas Street area were awoken at 2am on Thursday when the vehicle exploded and burst into flames.

The fire spread to a nearby fence and firefighters took 15 minutes to put out the flames.

Debbie, a full-time student, had scrimped and saved for three years to raise funds for the car.

The mum-of-one said: "It was my pride and joy. All I have now is a burnt-out wreck."

Police are treating the incident as arson and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Helpers can contact PC Bradley Spencer on (01905) 723888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.