A heartwarming gesture by Good Samaritans has restored a great-grandad's faith in human nature.

Frank Partridge, aged 80, of Houghton Regis, was stranded without transport after an arson attack left his car a write-off.

Now he is back on the road again... thanks to a kind-hearted family and a helping hand from Dunstable's Nationwide Autocentre.

The family of the late Alan Lithgo, of Dunstable, have donated his beloved 1982 gold-coloured Vauxhall Cavalier hatchback to Frank.

Widower Frank said: "It just shows you that there are still plenty of good people about."

His J-reg silver Proton saloon was one of three vehicles damaged in an arson attack in Bidwell Close, Houghton, all belonging to people in their 80s.

That area is not served by buses, and she feared insurance would not be enough to cover the cost of replacing the cars.

Gazette readers Graham and Susanne Anthony, who knew Alan Lithgo, brought our story to his family's attention.

Alan's son Michael told us that the family then decided that they would like to give Frank the immaculate car, which has low mileage for its age.

Michael said: "I'm really glad that it has gone to someone who can make use of it."

Neil Armstrong, of the Nationwide Autocentre, in High Street South, contacted his regional manager to get the go-ahead for the car to go through its MOT free of charge.