A community has launched a New Year offensive against youths terrorising an elderly couple on a Bradford estate.

The police, councillors and hoards of well wishers have united to condemn stone-hurling yobs who targeted George and Lilly Foster as they prepared for a family Christmas.

The latest vandalism spree smashed the living room window, leaving the disabled couple, both 68, feeling like prisoners in their own home.

On Christmas Eve we published a photograph of Mrs Foster staring through the shattered window at her home in Hallwood Green, Ravenscliffe.

She told how the couple were under siege from young vandals preying on them as a soft target.

Now their plight has touched the hearts of people in Ravenscliffe and beyond and officials.

Mrs Foster, who saw a youth smash the outer pane of the double-glazed window, said "We are living in fear. They pick on us because we are easy targets. My husband has arthritis and I have had a hip operation so they know we can't run after them.

"I am too frightened to go near a window. I sat on the toilet seat and had a cup of coffee so they would not see me. I am terrified they are coming back."

She said youths as young as ten hung round their Bradford Community Housing Trust flat hurling eggs at the windows and jumping on the family car.

After the story appeared in the T&A and on the paper's website, the couple were inundated with messages of support and police have begun investigating the attacks.

Sergeant Louise Gibson, of Bradford North Neighbourhood Policing Team, said officers were investigating the attacks.

She said: "We take these matters very seriously and if we catch these people we will take positive action."

Sgt Gisbon said an officer from the NPT would be visiting the couple to see what more could be done and to offer help and reassurance.

She said: "We have officers patrolling the estate day and night. We have dedicated teams of officers that work that area.

"We don't want anyone living in fear in the neighbourhood. People should not have to live like that and we do take these matters very seriously."

Staff from the nearby Gateway Community Centre, in Thackeray Road, called round on Christmas Eve offering help and advice. They gave the couple a Christmas card containing the message: "Don't despair, we are here".

Residents have been knocking on Mr and Mrs Foster's door to tell them they are not alone in suffering crime and vandalism.

The couple's son, James Foster, 45, told how people came up to him in the street to express their anger and pass on goodwill messages.

"People are telling me they are in the same boat. It is shocking that some residents have not felt able to do so before.

"My parents did feel they were on their own. I hope this has restored their faith in human nature.

"My mother used to sit and look at the view from her window but now she feels intimidated. There are some lovely people in Ravenscliffe and I feel they should get together as a community," he said.

Councillor Colin McPhee (Lib-Dem, Eccleshill) said: "Ravenscliffe had a poor reputation but the people are now pulling together. It was known as a "no-go area" but it is getting better and better."

Cllr McPhee said he would be visiting the couple in the New Year to offer his support.

Councillor Dorothy Wallace (Lib-Dem, Eccleshill) said it was "a real minority" causing trouble on the Ravenscliffe Estate.

"The majority are really friendly people, really community minded," she said.

Mr and Mrs Foster received more than 30 messages of support on the T&A website.

One well wisher said: "I would like to wish the Fosters some peace on earth and goodwill! May all your troubles be over."

Another says: "This should not be tolerated. If I found out my child was involved in this type of behaviour I would hand them in myself."