A WORCESTER student has spoken of his devastation after thieves smashed into his car just as he was about to sit a vital exam.

The night before his biology A-level, Stephen Gregory, a pupil at Malvern's Chase High School, had to stay in isolation at a teacher's house in Malvern Link.

The 17-year-old was due to sit the paper the previous day, but it clashed with a computer exam.

As he emerged from the teacher's house in St Peter's Close yesterday morning, the stunned teenager spotted the car he had worked hard for had been vandalised and broken into.

The shock, he said, left him unable to concentrate on his exam.

Thieves smashed his back windscreen between 5pm on Monday and 8am yesterday, taking a shelf containing speakers, the stereo and amplifier and his mobile phone from the glove compartment.

The repair bill is likely to reach hundreds of pounds.

"I just felt devastated and really angry," said Stephen, of Christine Avenue, Rushwick.

"I had to go off to do my exam, but I just couldn't concentrate and I don't think I've done very well.

"I just feel so angry that this has happened and I wish I could get hold of the people who did it."

Stephen, who intends to take a gap year before going to university, bought the G-registered Volkswagen Golf last year, having saved his wages from part-time work at Strensham services on the M5.

"I've checked the insurance and thankfully I'm covered for up to £1,000 of damage, but this doesn't help the way I feel at the moment."

The teenager said he also felt frustrated at exam boards which caused clashes between papers.

"There are students all over the country having to do the same as me because of exams clashing, he fumed.

"It seems exam boards just haven't bothered talking to each other."

Sgt Bob Werner-De-Sondberg, of Malvern police, urged the public to help trace the culprits who smashed Stephen's car.

"Car crime is distressing for every victim and is even more stressful for Stephen as he is currently sitting exams," he said.

"I would urge anyone with any information about this break-in or who thinks they may have been offered any of the stolen items to contact me on 01905 723888, quoting c/596563."