A volunteer who has driven the Coleridge Bus for more than 17 years has had his car keyed in Chillington.

Steve Manchip, who aside from being a driver, has also been a chair and one of the trustees of the charity for 15 years, parked his car in Orchard Way, Chillington on Wednesday, only to come home to find deep scratches in the paintwork and ‘CRY’ gouged across his bonnet and door.

The car, a silver Porsche 911, was parked in Orchard Way, near the pedestrian walkway from Helmer’s Meadow estate.

Mr Manchip was told by a Chillington resident who stopped to help that CRY was a clothing brand.

He said: “l left the car parked from 8.55am and I returned at 12.55pm. l had travelled to town on the Coleridge Bus so l could have a meeting to finalise details for our new information leaflet and timetable for the bus.

“l am most concerned that this could happen again to a vehicle belonging to one of our drivers and we could lose a valuable volunteer at a time when we are already experiencing a shortage.

“l am happy to offer a reward of £100 to anyone able to identify the person or persons who caused the damage.”

You can contact Mr Manchip through us at the Gazette on 01548 856353 or email: [email protected] if you have any information.

If you think you can help volunteer with the Coleridge Bus, especially if you have finance experience, use the ‘Contact Us’ page on the website: coleridgebus.co.uk or call 01548 853195.