Vandals smashed up a mobility scooter left at Sheerness train station belonging to great-grandfather Brian Terry.

The ex-RAF armourer suffers from chronic heart disease and depression and he was travelling to a medical appointment in Sittingbourne when his scooter was attacked.

The yobs tried to jump start the vehicle, breaking into its control panel, pulling wires out and smashing a mirror.

Mr Terry, who was with his granddaughter Emma, said: “We thought if we left it on the platform near the CCTV camera and took the key out, it would be safe, but unfortunately it was damaged and nothing was recorded.”

A popular character who has lived on the Island all his life, Mr Terry is affectionately know as 'Doc’ as after leaving the RAF in the 1950s he spent three years in training to become a doctor at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.

His distinctive blue mobility scooter, which bore the registration number Doc 1 was donated to him by SSAFA Forces Help, the charity supporting ex-service personnel.

The 75-year-old, of Medway Road, Sheerness, said: “I’ve had heart disease for 30 years and it’s not easy when you’re stuck inside the house.

“My scooter means a great deal to me – it’s like my legs as I can only walk a couple of yards without it.”

The committed Christian, who is a member of Holy Trinity Church in Sheerness, said: “I pray for others who are in trouble every day as I’ve got nothing to complain about.”

He added: “I forgive the vandals but I would ask them to think about what they did as one day they might be in the same position as me and need help themselves.”

Mr Terry has since been loaned another scooter by SSAFA but remains upset about the incident.

Southeastern’s media relations manager Jon Hay-Campbell said: “We have had no request for CCTV. If the British Transport Police ask for CCTV we will always look to provide it.

“May 23 is relatively recent so we should still have the footage providing it was within the scope of the CCTV camera which is on the platform.”

The vandalism occurred between 3pm and 4.30pm on Monday, May 23.

• Witnesses are asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or Sheerness police on 01622 690690.