A CAR dealer is almost £3,000 out of pocket after a gang of yobs smashed their way through 17 of his vehicles.

Paul Beard says he was sickened to find the trail of devastation left by vandals at the Station Road, Dartford, yard he has run for the past five years.

The 49-year-old has had to cancel £1,500 of repair jobs and shell out almost £1,000 to repair broken glass on the vehicles.

Five of the cars had to be scrapped as they were in such poor condition.

Mr Beard estimates he will also need to spend another £500 on a new window.

The father-of-three said: "It looks like a breaker's yard and it's putting people off. I'm out of pocket over this and have not slept properly since."

Mr Beard, of Ramsden Road, Orpington, hopes police will be able to trace the gang responsible for the damage from CCTV.

If you have any information, call police on 01474 565167.