CAR vandals have heaped more distress on the parents of tragic Bromsgrove soldier Robbie Laws - as the sixth anniversary of his death in action in Afghanistan approaches.

A black Fiesta belonging to the father of Pte Laws - which bears a special number plate in memory of the 18-year-old and his regiment's stickers - has suffered deep gouges caused by a key in two separate attacks in the last fortnight.

"They're not just keying a car - they're causing even more distress as the sixth anniversary of our son's death is on Saturday," said Robbie's mother, Wendy Laws.

Both incidents of damage have happened outside Robbie's father Steve Laws' house in Worcester Road, Rock Hill - the first was two weeks ago and the second was in the early hours of Sunday.

Mr Laws, aged 60, said: "In the latest incident there was a one metre-long scratch along the passenger door.

"The neighbour's car was also damaged."

Robbie was killed while taking part in Operation Panther's Claw in Afghanistan in 2009.

His grieving parents later bought a registration plate bearing their son's initials - RGL for Robert George Laws - as a lasting tribute to him.

The car also had Mercian regiment and "Panther's Claw" stickers on it.

"It's a bad enough time for us without this happening to Steve's car," said Mrs Laws, aged 54.

"The scratches are really deep.

"We are making this public in the hope that anyone who might have seen this happening could tell the police as they can do nothing without evidence.

"Whoever did this may have been just doing it for fun - but we want them to know that it has a distressing effect on us at a bad time.

"Perhaps they'll stop it if they realise the effect it can have."