A family are being forced out of their home following a campaign of terror by a gang of youths on their estate.

Mary Jane Harris, 38, and her three children are living in constant fear following a spate of burglaries and vandalism attacks at their home in Whitehawk Road, Brighton.

Firefighters were called to the street after Ms Harris' Volvo was set ablaze outside the home. It is the sixth family car to be damaged since they moved to the house five years ago.

Ms Harris believes the family is being targeted because they are 'different' and because her children Meredith, 15, Theo, 13, and Winnie, 11, go to schools in Patcham.

The family has been on the priority list for rehousing since January but still faces a two-month wait before they can move out of the area.

Ms Harris said: "I'm really scared about what will happen. It's been a nightmare."

Since they moved to Whitehawk Road Ms Harris has kept a record of the incidents which include seven burglaries, six vandalism attacks on the car, and several occasions when the children have been threatened in the street and objects have been thrown at the windows.

The family were even forced to batten down their letterbox after they were told the house would be fire- bombed.

Ms Harris, who works for a housing association which helps people with learning difficulties, said: "I'm pretty sure I know who is doing it but I've got no proof. The police have been very good but there's nothing they can do without evidence and eyewitnesses."

Sgt Bill Whitehead, of Brighton police's east sector, said: "We will investigate incidents of this type when they are reported to us."