HOLIDAYMAKERS are being warned against "highway pirates" in Ibiza after a woman from Bourne End was viciously assaulted when she picked up her hire car.

Catherine Monger, 57, of Walnut Way, was assaulted within an hour of landing at Ibiza Airport in June, when she and her husband Richard tried to drive away an airport hire car at around 10pm.

Mrs Monger said: "We noticed a red car following us in the car park, but it pulled over to let us pass through the exit barrier first. We started to drive down a long dark road and we realised there was a puncture in the tyre.

"We pulled over and the two men in the red car stopped to see if we needed any help. My husband was taking the spare wheel out of the boot when one of the men cracked me over the head. I had blood pouring down my face and I blacked out."

The thieves stole Mrs Monger's handbag containing her passport, credit cards, driver's licence and money. She spent two nights in hospital and the rest of the week-long holiday trying to obtain a temporary passport, giving statements to the police and sorting out her finances.

Mrs Monger was one of three British holiday makers to be attacked in this way after landing at Ibiza Airport in June. The British Consulate has issued a statement to the airport asking for a written warning for all tourists taking out hire cars.

The consulate has also asked for increased security and a police presence.

The Foreign Office has issued a warning to tourists on its website. It says: "Motorists should be on the look out for highway pirates'. Motorists are tricked into stopping on the hard shoulder. The usual ploy is for a passing vehicle to suggest there is something seriously wrong with a rear wheel."