by Hayley Robinson

A parked car is likely to be written off after it was damaged during a hit and run.

Owner Sam Ward says she now faces paying the £500 excess out of her own pocket, unless the driver can be found and she can claim off their insurance.

As a result, the married mum-of-two is appealing for witnesses to the accident to come forward.

Her blue Citroen C3 was parked outside the family home in Hawthorn Road, Sittingbourne, when it was hit by a black car – possibly a Subaru or a Mitsubishi with a registration plate starting with a ‘P’ – at around 9.30pm on Friday, June 8.

Mrs Ward was at home when she heard a bang. Her children Christopher, six, and Bethany, nine, were in bed.

The 31-year-old said: “I was sitting in my living room when I heard a squealing of brakes and a crash.

“I ran out the house, as did my neighbours, and I saw a car disappearing around the corner.

“They hit it so fast and hard, it moved my car from the parking bay up on to the kerb. It just missed my garden wall.

“I rang the police as soon as it happened. A passing patrol car stopped and they had other cars out looking for the driver, but they never found them.

“I’m still trying to get through to my insurance company, but in my opinion, the car’s a write-off.”

Mrs Ward, who has ME, relies on her car to get her children to Grove Park Primary School, Hilton Drive, which is a 20-minute walk away.

She also uses it to get to Fulston Manor School where she works as a teaching assistant.

Mrs Ward added: “I’m having to use my husband Barry’s car, luckily he works nights so we can share it.”

A police spokesman said: “It’s an offence to fail to stop or fail to report a collision where damage or injury has been caused.

“We’re keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or from anyone who knows who was driving the vehicle at the time.”

Contact Kent Police on 101 quoting reference number 08-1631.