A WOMAN has been left devastated after arsonists torched her car during a shocking attack in Laindon.

Doreen Bishop, 68, of Newberry Side, has been left without transport after her Ford Fiesta was engulfed by 20-foot flames.

Her car caught alight after arsonists set fire to a Mercedes Benz parked next to it.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened in the early hours of Sunday.

Mrs Bishop said: “I’m absolutely devastated, I just can’t believe it.

“I think it must be a revenge attack on the Mercedes, but why target me as well?

“If someone had a grievance with someone, why bring me into it?

“It’s just disgusting, I feel sick. It’s a new car, I only got it a year ago on finance.

“There were valuables in the car, such as work shoes and CDs that meant a lot.

“I won’t know any more until the salvage people come.”

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said he saw the incident unfolding that night. He said: “There was an argument at around midnight on Sunday. It was a couple in their twenties.

“There was a lot of colourful language and they were being very loud.

“About an hour later, blue lights filled my bedroom.

“I looked out and saw the cars on fire. The flames were 20ft high.” Firefighters were called out at about 2.30am on Sunday and managed to put out the blaze by 2.55am An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were called at 2.40am to reports of two cars on fire.

“The fire was believed to have been started deliberately and anyone with information is asked to call police at Basildon on 101.”