A YOUNG woman has been left devastated after burglars stole her car after breaking into her home.

Sherri Saunders, 20, saved up for three years for the 2002 Mini Cooper S which she only enjoyed for three weeks before it was taken.

The shop assistant and model had been saving since passing her driving test. Her dad, Paul, discovered the car was missing from their driveway when he returned from work.

Sherri, 20, of Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford, said: “I was in shock at first and then what happened started to kick in a couple of days later.”

Her dad Paul, 48, added: “I just feel destroyed for her. She’s been crying every day. It’s so unfair.”

Paul is offering £1,000 for information given to police which leads to the return of the car.

Sherri and her mum were in bed when the burglars broke in, forcing the front door. They grabbed the keys to the Mini before driving off.

When Paul returned home in the early hours, he noticed the car missing, but didn’t think anything was wrong at first.

Forensic officers later discovered two tiny pin pricks on the front door. It is thought the crooks used some sort of implement to open it.

Sherri said the burglars had left her frightened to be in her own home. She added: “I remember looking at the clock in the early hours of the morning and getting up to get a drink.

“It makes me feel sick I could have bumped into the burglars.”

Detectives are still looking for the Mini, which was grey with a black roof and black stripes on the bonnet which continue on to the bumper.

Witnesses to the burglary, which happened at around 3.30am on Monday July 21, can contact detectives on 0300 3334444.