A woman battling breast cancer has been left heartbroken after her cherished 1960s vintage Mini was stolen from outside her Dalston home.

Simone Boux, 51, was gifted the classic motor by her landlady and close friend Mrs Rogers three years ago to match her own car.

It was stolen on Thursday afternoon between 1.30pm and 2.10pm, when she and her husband Colin were at their home in Sandringham Road.

“I just feel really sad, I was totally heartbroken, I really loved it,” Simone told the Gazette. “We were in out of the house all morning, we came downstairs for a sandwich, went back upstairs and it had gone.”

Concerned by the short time frame of the theft, Simone said: “I feel like someone must have been watching the house. We were all here, its just bizarre.

“I’ve never felt unsafe in Hackney, ever, and I love it here. But of course I felt paranoid and wanted to lock the windows.”

Diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas last year, Simone has since had two operations, chemotherapy, and will soon undergo radiotherapy everyday for four weeks.

Speaking of her illness, Simone said: “When you first hear it you think that you’re going to die but then you think no you’re not, you’re going to be fine and you just have to push through.”

“By this Christmas I should be clear, which is amazing.”

After discovering the theft of her own car, they also noticed Mrs Rogers’ mini had also been tampered with and the window had noticeably been forced backwards.

Simone, who said Mrs Rogers was now like “part of the family”, added: “The only silver lining is that they didn’t take her car.”

She is now pleading for anyone who sees the car to get in touch with police.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “There have been no arrests and at this time the investigation has concluded.

“If any further evidence is established, this will be assessed.”

Anyone who sees the Mini can call police on 101.