Thieves have stolen German Health Minister Ulla Schmidt's official limousine from near the Spanish town of Alicante while she was on holiday, a ministry spokesman said today.

"Her chauffeur's accommodation was broken into and the car keys were stolen," said the spokesman.

Schmidt, a Social Democrat in conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel's left-right coalition, had been using the black Mercedes for official appointments including meetings at old peoples' homes, hospitals and schools, the spokesman said.

"There is great demand for the minister to discuss issues such as health care and pensions with Germans there," said the spokesman, adding Schmidt rented a car for her private use.

Alicante, on the Costa Blanca in south-eastern Spain, is a popular retirement and holiday destination for Germans.

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