The big-hearted owner of a taxi company was so moved by the plight of Wakering residents who had their tyres slashed by vandals he has offered half-price fares to everyone affected.

Nigel Laverick, owner of Wakering Taxis, said: "I first heard about this on New Year's Day. We were still running about 5am and people were beginning to call in for cabs after waking to find they couldn't get home after the celebrations.

Kind cabbie - Nigel is offering half-price fares to car vandal victims Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

"I know a lot of the people affected by this and just wanted to do something to help. It's a small gesture but to someone who has a low budget car £60 for each new tyre could add up to more than an old car is worth. We thought about putting up a reward to catch the people who did this awful thing but then we thought this would offer practical help to people who may have been left stranded."

Mr Laverick's offer comes in the wake of savage attacks by vandals wielding screwdrivers on more than 100 cars in Little Wakering Road, Coronation Close and Havenside in the first hours of the new year.

Mr Laverick's offer will last for one week.

Published Friday, January 3, 2003

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