VANDALS who targeted a disabled Gwent war hero damaged a sporty car he bought "to enjoy his final years".

Lew Watts, 79, of Marshfield, found his MG Rover ZR had been sprayed with white paint in broad daylight.

Mr Watts, of St David's Court, St Mellons Road, a former sergeant major in the parachute regiment, claimed he and elderly neighbours had been persistently abused by teenage youths.

He said: "I'm a diabetic and had to come home for lunch. I parked my car outside and was then told it had been vandalised.

"I've got a good idea who it might be because we've had problems with them for years.

"We get abuse in the streets and they superglued my locks. They are just idiots with no respect for anybody.

"I've just spent two years nursing my wife, who passed away last October with cancer and I don't need this kind of trouble.

"I fought for this country, and for them, and they treat me like this. I bought that car to enjoy my final years and they're just jealous. I was fuming. It's about £800 worth of damage."

Mr Watts, served in Palestine during WWII. He was injured during a mission fighting communists in Malaysia.

He was a founder member of the helicopter unit and was awarded the British Empire Medal for being "an inspiration to the commandos".

After leaving the Army he became a pub landlord for 30 years and is now vice president of the Royal British Legion, Gwent.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 2, between 12.45pm and 1.45pm.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said investigations are ongoing and appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.