A GREENOCK woman says she is worried sick after her car was torched outside her home.

Pauline McLetchie was asleep at home in Fife Road in the early hours of Saturday when she was suddenly woken by a neighbour who raised the alarm.

The 59-year-old, who lives with her husband Gordon, rushed outside and saw her Volkswagen Passat engulfed by flames.

Pauline told the Tele: “We went to bed at about 10pm but I was woken up at about 1am by my neighbour banging on the front door.

“I went outside and saw my car had been turned into a big ball of fire.”

Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene and extinguished the blaze but Pauline’s car, which was parked in the street, was written off.

She added: “I relied on my car and used it for everything.

“The following night I couldn’t sleep, I was up and down all night.

“It’s made me very anxious.

“I’ve parked my car out there umpteen times and it’s been fine.”

A male youth was seen running away from the scene and he was wearing a black hoodie and grey jogging bottoms.

Detectives at Greenock CID are probing the car fire, one of two which took place on the same night.

In the other incident a red Peugeot, pictured, parked in a small residential car park between Regent Street and Roxburgh Street Street was completely destroyed.

Tools with a high monetary value were inside the vehicle.

Police officers are trying to trace two male youths in connection with the incident.

They were wearing black and grey hooded tops, grey jogging bottoms and trainers.

Detective Constable Gordon Gibson, of Greenock CID, says both fires were wilful – but is not linking the incidents.

He said: “This is dangerous as once fire catches it can easily spread to other vehicles or properties nearby, putting people’s lives in danger.

“We are appealing for anyone with information to contact Greenock police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”