An operations controller, who charters jets for a living, has told how he had to strip in a public car park after a vandal poured acid inside his convertible car.

Nicky Oblie, 24, left the silver Audi 80 with its roof down in the Ashley Centre car park, Epsom, while he bought a birthday card and flowers for his girlfriend.

When he returned moments later on the afternoon of July 4 he was surprised to find the vehicle was apparently dripping with water.

After starting to itch while sitting in the driving seat, Mr Oblie jumped up to discover the seat of his combat trousers had burnt away.

It was at this point that he realised the car had been doused not with water but with an altogether more corrosive substance.

The driver flagged down a parking attendant, who admitted that a woman had reported the incident. Unfortunately the attendant, a former Metropolitan Police officer with 27 years' experience, was unable to take any details.

During the subsequent 25-minute wait for paramedics, police and fire crews, Mr Oblie stripped naked to avoid further contact with the chemicals. His modesty was preserved by the attendants' booth.

He said: "It was pretty embarrassing. The woman who took my parking space started towards me and I was trying to turn because my bum was on display.

"But there is a serious point to this. It could have been a lot worse I could have been badly burnt. People need to be aware of such attacks, and the vandals to realise the harm they can cause."

Mr Oblie suffered only mild irritation and returned the next day, judiciously placing cardboard on the car's upholstery before driving home.

He estimates the cost of re-fitting the Audi will be £3,000. After learning that fire crews had failed to turn up anything of "evidential value", Mr Oblie also seemed sour about the lack of CCTV cameras.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council said cameras were being considered but that its security team was equipped to deal with emergencies.

A spokesman added: "The team acted swiftly and with initiative, reassuring the man and lending him a pair of uniform trousers to wear while he waited."

Tests have since indicated that the substance was sulphuric or hydrochloric acid. No other cars appear to have been targeted.

Call Epsom police station on 0845 125 2222.