The wife of a man who has had two heart attacks said she is fearing for his life after the couple were subjected to a reign of terror.

Keith and Joyce Plows have been terrorised by a gang of teenagers who have pushed fireworks through their letterbox, thrown eggs at the front door, broken windows and vandalised their car.

The couple, who have lived in Snowden Road, Wrose, for 20 years, are now so frightened they are considering selling up and moving to their holiday home on the east coast.

Mrs Plows, 66, a retired bank clerk, said the attacks started in June but have intensified over the past few weeks. Incidents include the gang threatening to "seriously injure" Mr Plows in his home. The couple are also having to cope with making regular visits to see their dying son, Neil, 39, who has several cancerous brain tumours.

Mrs Plows said she had no idea why the youths have been targeting her and her husband. She has also been concerned about the safety of the couple's two West Highland pet dogs, Lucy and Rosie.

"From 6pm to 9pm most nights it is just like being in a war zone," said Mrs Plows.

"The fireworks have been coming through the letterbox since October. One night one came flying through and there was an almighty bang and there was smoke everywhere. It was awful. Some nights we have just sat in the living room with the lights off and wept."

The mother-of-four said the attacks came to a head on January 2 when the gang were knocking on the windows.

After answering the front door one of the vandals threatened to beat up Mr Plows, 62, a sales rep and former policeman.

"We didn't know if they had weapons or anything. It was very frightening and I am becoming more and more concerned for Keith's health," said Mrs Plows. "He has had two heart attacks in previous years and I am on tablets just to get me from one day to the next.

"We have enough on our plate at the moment. We can't cope any more. It's got to the point where we could just pack up our bags and go. I just want them to stop it."

The couple were so frightened after the violent threat that they contacted another of their sons, Christian, who lives in Milton Keynes, and his wife rang the police.

A police spokesman said: "Police are aware of problems in the Snowden Road area with local youths and a teenager has already been given a harassment warning for his behaviour. Inquiries are on-going for tackling those responsible for carrying out nuisance attacks and the police are working closely with local residents to reassure them."