Denise Roberts, of Trehafren, Newtown, was astonished when the DVLA changed the ownership of her vehicle despite her refusing them permission to do so.

Denise, who works as a carer and requires a car to do her job, bought her red Peugeot 306 in June last year.

On December 17, 2007, the DVLA sent her a letter saying someone had applied to be registered as the keeper of her vehicle.

She contacted them to tell them it was a mistake and she had not, and was not, intending to sell the vehicle.

However to her dismay on March 3 she received another letter from the DVLA thanking her for telling them she was no longer the keeper of the car.

"The point is my car is now imaginary," said Denise, "it does not exist. Why did they do it?

"Someone took it on their head to do it anyway despite me telling them not to.

"It's ridiculous. I'm worried about driving it around at the moment. If you get stopped by the police the first thing they ask you is "are you the registered keeper of the vehicle".

"If I had an accident I do not know where I would stand because it is invisible, it's ridiculous."

To further confuse matters Denise found there was another car with the same registration plate driving around Newtown.

Denise and the owner of the other car were then requested to attend Newtown Police Station where the other car was impounded.

A spokesman for Dyfed Powys Police said: "Inquiries are underway to establish the true identity of the vehicle."

A DVLA spokesman said: "The DVLA is aware of the issue. Investigations are still ongoing and the Agency is currently awaiting confirmation from the police on the outcome of their inquiries.

"We have and will continue to update Denise Roberts on the progress of our investigations."