A COUPLE whose prized Reliant Robin kept being tipped over by yobs have been advised by police to hide it under a blanket.

The special edition three-wheeled motor - which Lilian and Bernard Walker paid £10,000 for - has been toppled over in the street and in their front garden.

Following the latest attack, which caused £700 damage, police advised the Walkers to cover the car with a blanket each night.

This way, they believe, it is not a "sitting target" for yobs who have previously used mobile phones to film themselves rocking the vehicle over.

Grandmother-of-two Mrs Walker said: "We considered all sorts of options, including chaining it to the wall.

"But in the end we settled for covering it with a blanket at night after the police advised us it would make our car less of a sitting target.

"It's like tucking your kid up in bed. We've also got a camera spying on it so if any blighter dares touch our car again, we'll have them on candid camera. So watch out."

The couple, of Garthorne Road, Forest Hill, bought car in February 2001.

It was one of the last 65 cars to be made by the Midlands-based firm.

They have both enjoyed a long love affair with three-wheeled cars, having got through around 10 different models over the past 46 years.

Repair work after the latest attack saw the car's back bumper replaced and the roof and side panels fixed and re-painted.

Now the pensioners, who are both aged 75, are waiting for a new wing mirror to be delivered.

They have paid for their repairs out of their own money to avoid losing their no-claims bonus.

Mrs Walker, who suffers back problems and arthritis, added: "It's great to have the Robin back on its three wheels again.

"It sits low to the ground and is easy for me to get into. I do have trouble getting my legs up. It's almost impossible getting into a taxi or bus."