A disabled driver who left her car in a loading bay returned to find it splattered with tomato sauce and mustard.

Traders were amazed to see the green S-registration Nissan daubed with sauce in an apparent protest at the driver's use of the marked space. The empty bottles had been left on the roof.

The attack took place while the car was parked in Sydney Street, at the heart of the North Laine shopping district in Brighton.

The car owner is thought to be a woman who lives in nearby Gloucester Road, where parking is at a premium.

Kerry Thornton, of the Porcupine cafe in Sydney Street, said she understood the vehicle's owner had also experienced vandalism after parking her car in Robert Street.

She said: "Strictly speaking, these are loading bays but I was shocked to see the car today. I have never seen anything like it.

"The owner said she was going to the police. I saw a warden passing by and having a look at it. I suppose people would think we are the prime suspects but we don't use bottles like that and would not do it.

"It looks like a vendetta - and it looks as if it is personal."