MULTIPLE Sclerosis victim Judith Hurst was ecstatic today after a well-wisher bought her a van to replace one which had been stolen and trashed.

The Evening Press reported recently how Judith had been left housebound when her old van - specially adapted to take her wheelchair - was taken from outside her home in Wains Road, Dringhouses, York.

The theft meant that her husband, Jock, could no longer take her to the hospital, shops, pub or supermarket when she wanted.

Judith, 62, who has suffered from MS for 30 years and had to use a wheelchair in recent years, was "absolutely shattered" by the theft, particularly after insurers decided the Renault van was a write-off.

The couple feared they would be unable to find a suitably-adapted vehicle at a price they could afford.

But now Philip Taysom, managing director of Knaresborough firm Autoclassica, has stepped in to save the day by buying her an identical van, but newer and in better condition. Mr Taysom was appalled to hear of the theft. "The story touched us all. We were furious," he said. "It was cruel.

"We felt somebody had to do something."

He initially offered to help repair the damage, but then discovered it was too severe, so he went on the Internet and found an ideal replacement vehicle within a few minutes. He praised the media for covering the story, enabling people to respond by helping Judith out.

Judith said: "I am absolutely ecstatic. It's absolutely brilliant."

She said others had come forward with offers of donations, including one from Terry Smith, owner of Classic Cutz Barber Shop, in Heworth, and £500 from a friend whom she had known since they were young.

"I would like to thank everyone very much."

Jock said donations would be used to provide security measures for the vehicle, and also towards taking his wife on a holiday.

"This has restored my faith in human nature a bit," he said.

Updated: 11:07 Thursday, October 09, 2003