An angry householder is demanding a council remove her written-off car after it was crushed by a tree in the storms.

Carol Bower awoke last Tuesday to find the roof of her car flattened by the large tree outside her home in Freshfield Road, Brighton.

Brighton and Hove Council workers have since chopped up the tree and taken away the trunk. But they have left some of the branches near Mrs Bower's car, which is damaged beyond repair.

Mrs Bower, 52, a care assistant, said she was refusing to remove the H-registration Renault 19 worth £800.

She said the council, as the highways authority, was responsible.

Mrs Bower said: "I couldn't believe it when I looked out of the window at about 7 o'clock when I woke up.

"I saw my car had been crushed and let out a scream. It was totally destroyed and it has been written off.

"My insurance was third party so I am not covered because the insurers say it was an act of God. As it was one of the council's trees which destroyed my car, I don't see why I should pay a penny to have it removed."

She added: "It is a matter of principle and I am determined that they should remove it and not me. Surely they must be responsible for their trees and what happens to them in a storm."

A Brighton and Hove Council spokeswoman said the authority had carried out its duty to remove the tree because it was causing a hazard.

She said: "Our first responsibility is to make sure it is safe where the tree has fallen.

"But it is not our responsibility to remove the car. That is the responsibility of the owner or her insurance company."