Targeted by vandals, the bright yellow car blamed on ruining view in Cotswolds village (but owner vows to buy lime green replacement)

A pensioner's bright yellow car, blamed for ruining the view in one of Britain's most picturesque villages, has been written off by a vandal who scratched "MOVE" on the bonnet.

Peter Maddox, 84, parks his banana-coloured Vauxhall Corsa outside his Cotswolds cottage in 14th-century Arlington Row, which is owned by the National Trust.

The houses are the oldest inhabited properties in the UK and appear on the inside cover of millions of passports.

But a row erupted in 2015 when visitors complained that Mr Maddox's "ugly" car was wrecking the classic English scene in Bibury, Gloucestershire, and "photobombing" tourists' images.

The retired dentist insisted he had nowhere else to park and continued leaving his car on the road, until it was targeted last week.

A vandal scratched the word "MOVE" onto the bonnet, scratched every other panel and smashed the driver's side window and rear windscreen.

Mechanics have told Mr Maddox it will cost £6,000 to repair with a full respray, making the car a probable write-off. But he has said if that was the case he would buy a replacement - in a lime-green colour.

Marie Kraus, his daughter-in-law, said: "Peter is understandably upset at the loss of his car and his independence, but he is also very fond of his lovely yellow car.

"Everyone in the village is very supportive. It is horrible to think whoever has done this has come out of their way down this little road to do something like this. It will be a struggle to get another car. It will leave Peter out of pocket."

Mr Maddox moved to Bibury after his wife died 15 years ago and bought his car three years ago.

In 2015, he attracted attention when photographers took to Twitter to complain about the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty being ruined by the "ugly, yellow car".

Villagers are supporting Mr Maddox and calling the crime "disgusting".

Postmaster Richard William, 48, said: "We are all shocked and horrified that such mindless destruction should be visited upon a normally quiet and tranquil village."

Ian Howard, owner of The William Morris Tea Room, said the culprits were "nasty vandals" with "small brains".

He added: "Peter has not done anyone any harm."

Rose Francome-Robinson, 73, also of Arlington Row, described the crime as "disgusting" and "malicious".

She said: "I didn't hear anything, I saw the glass at the parking spot and the car had gone."

Police have valued the damage at £6,000 and believe the crime happened between 4pm on Sunday 22 and 7.40am on Monday 23 January.

Sgt Garrett Gloyne said: "We have conducted house-to-house inquiries. We are aware that presence of the vehicle was the bone of contention to some people.

"Nevertheless, the damage caused to vehicle is beyond the pale and we would appeal for anyone who knows anything to contact us."