A truck belonging to an RNLI volunteer that was stolen in a daring night time theft has been found torched in Ashford.

Wayne Black's truck was towed away from outside Rye Rugby Club while he and his sons were attending a fireworks display.

The theft on Saturday November 10 also saw a car belonging to another visitor's car damaged so badly that it has now been written off.

Mr Black, of Dymchurch, used the Mitsubishi L200 to get to Littlestone station on Romney Marsh when he was on an emergency call.

The incident also held also saw him left without a uniform for the following day's Remembrance Sunday service, where he was due to represent the RNLI with the team.

While attempting to find out more information about what happened, Mr Black's daughter appealed for help in a local Facebook group.

It was there that they saw another appeal from fellow Romney Marsh resident Denise Ayres that helped them piece together the situation.

He explained: "A lady who had also been at the night was asking for information about somebody who hit her parked car.

"We all pieced together that whoever stole my car towed it away, and in doing so crashed into this poor family's Vauxhall."

Denise said that her car has now been written off because of the damage.

She said: "It's absolutely awful."

Mr Black said that the last time the truck was visible on CCTV was in Appledore, but the burning shell was found early in the morning the following day in Smarden, near Ashford.

He said: "Kent Fire and Rescue told me that they had been on scene.

"We think that the interior and the engine had been removed before it was set alight."

A KFRS spokesman said: "Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to a vehicle fire on Snughorne Lane in Smarden at around 2.31am on Sunday November 10.

"One fire engine was sent to the scene and crews wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to tackle the blaze.

"Kent Police was also in attendance, and the fire was put out by 3.06am."

Kent Police have been contacted for comment.

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