CAB drivers were stunned after the car they used on a 2,000-miles-in-48-hours charity challenge was stolen - only to be found the next day thanks to a social media campaign.

Ashley Martin, of Riverside Taxis, in Manningtree, had bought the 1988 Vauxhall Nova to raise money for Acorn Village care home, in Mistley, and Children with Cancer UK.

Mr Martin, Rick Johnston and Andrew Donnelly drove from Manningtree to John O’Groats - via Lands’ End - and back at the weekend.

The car was plastered with stickers of sponsors from businesses and the trio raised £6,500 The car was left in Station Road, Lawford, and was stolen on Monday night.

Mr Martin told the police and posted an appeal for help on his company’s Facebook page.

Hundreds of people shared his post and left messages of support and the car was found in Holland-on-Sea, when a woman who had heard about the theft recognised it parked on her street.

Mr Martin said: “After putting the word about it suddenly appeared. It just shows how disgusted everyone is by the theft."

The car contained spare parts, worth £300, which were stolen.

Anyone with information about the theft can call Clacton police on 101.