A FAMILY has spoken of their devastation at the destruction of their classic car in an arson attack.

The Morris 1800 belonging to Jacob Theunissen, of Chestnut Avenue, Acton was torched in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The vintage car, which was of sentimental value to the family, was parked outside the Acton Community Centre, an area that the family thought would be safe.

Wrexham fire service dispatched one fire engine to tackle the blaze, which happened just before 3.30am.

Mr Theunissen's wife, Tracy-Anne said: "My husband has been working on the car for 10 years. He has several classic cars but this was his main one. He's worked a lot on the car and we would take it to classic car shows.

"We live on Chestnut Avenue, but it's quite narrow down there so we moved it over to here because we were worried about the car getting scratched. My husband normally drives the car to work, but today he's had to take the bus.

"The police came to our house to tell us about the fire at 4.20 this morning. A bit of a shock as we were half asleep. They asked was the car ours and asked my husband for the registration number.

"I don't know who would do this. We haven't fallen out with anyone, I think it was probably just kids.

"We are all heartbroken."

Sergeant Vic Powell of the North Wales Police said: "The Morris was left parked by the owner in the car park and an initial examination by North Wales Fire and North Wales Police point towards a deliberate ignition and so a criminal investigation is underway.

"I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time who saw any suspicious persons or activity, or indeed knows anything about this fire to contact Police immediately."

If you have any information contact NWP on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote W078414.