A DISABLED woman says youths have been conducting a campaign of terror against her on the Darlington estate where she lives.

Josie Collins, whose home is on the town's Red Hall estate, said youths indecently expose themselves to her, urinate on her car and house and kick footballs against her walls day and night.

She also says they have broken into her garden and tried to set fire to her hedge.

She said: "Getting to the car is like running the gauntlet. I am known as the "moron" locally because I am severely disabled. Sometimes we are too scared to leave the house."

Mrs Collins, 69, who lives with her son, Steven, 43, said: "My son suffers from epilepsy and the youngsters think he has leprosy. They all shout at him when he goes out.

"I used to get obscene phone calls from them. Now they bang on the kitchen window when I am trying to cook. They try to kick the front door in, damage my car, and expose themselves to us when we go out of the house. I have found urine on my front doorstep and on the car."

Beat officer, PC Steven Brown, said: "It would be wrong to suggest the estate is beset by problems, but we are aware of isolated incidents of anti-social behaviour.

"We have talked to Mrs Collins and understand the issues raised.

"On one occasion, we arrested a teenage boy for criminal damage. The police and other agencies have been, and are continuing to work together to resolve difficulties that affect people's quality of life.

"Residents can be assured if we have evidence of wrongdoing and criminality we will act."