The mobility aid was stolen on Sunday by two teenagers who then set about destroying it but were spotted doing so by a member of the public.

They were seen damaging the scooter in an alleyway close to Barrack Road and reported to the police.

The scooter was returned to Linda Marshall, who lives in Dorset Road, and she discovered she would have to find £1,000 towards a reconditioned secondhand replacement.

"What else can go wrong?" she asked on Monday when she told her story to the Observer.

However the next day the father of one of the 14-year-olds involved in the offence was so sorry for the damage that he offered to buy her a new one.

Linda – who suffered a brain haemmorage and stroke 13 years ago – depended on the scooter she left at the bus stop in De La Warr Road when she went to Eastbourne on Sunday at midday. When she returned at 3pm it was gone.

She looked around then called her son who came to check the area, and contacted the police straight away who were immediately able to help.

"I have got to say the police were brilliant – they were fantastic, and said it had been found so I could go to the station and make a statement.

"They said two teenagers had taken it – someone had seen them and reported it and officers went along and caught them red-handed. It is hard enough trying to cope with being disabled without some mindless thugs doing this.

"They had obviously kicked it in and ripped off all the lights. It was absolutely wrecked and can't be repaired. There is no point repairing it – it would cost far too much. Now I have got to find £1,000 for a part exchange."

This all came at a difficult time for Linda, who fears becoming homeless with her teenage son because the rented accommodation she lives in has been repossessed.

She said on Monday: "I am absolutely furious. More than that I am totally disheartened with the mentality of it, that people can do that to a disabled person. It is the last thing I need."

By Tuesday, though, life had improved – the police contacted her to say the father of one of the boys had offered to help. Linda said: "He was so disgusted with what his son had done. When they told him I would have to buy a reconditioned scooter he said he would buy a new one himself.

"I am so pleased. I didn't think that would happen... and neither did the police. It really is a surprise he has owned up to it and done the right thing. It all came right in the end."