A mum has spoken of her horror after disturbing a burglar in his attempt to steal her car.

The woman, who does not want to be named, was in bed at home in Byron Drive, Wickham Bishops, when she heard someone downstairs at about 1.40am on Friday.

She found a man downstairs, who fled with the key to her Audi A3 Cabriolet.

The car has been taken to a safe compound until the locks can be changed.

Attempts were also made to force the front door of a home in nearby Grange Road between 12.15am and 7.30am on Friday.

Anyone who spotted suspicious activity in the area is urged to call officers at Chelmsford CID.