LIFE on a Leigh estate has become miserable for a harassed widow. Over recent weeks gangs of boys -- and girls -- have repeatedly smashed down a concrete 'latt' fence around her garden, leaving her despairing about how to solve the problem.

Gone are the days when it was safe to tell youngsters to clear off. As a result the pensioner, who has lived in the Rugby Road area for nearly 30 years, has to stand by shaking while watching damage being committed to her own property -- and there's nothing she can do.

Police are aware of the situation, but the thoughtless culprits are still at large. The poor woman is at her wits end.

Before the fence was erected, estaters used the garden as a short cut, and the owner feels they are kicking the fence down in protest at having to walk round the footpath.

What a life when decent people are forced to put up with such appalling behaviour.

I hope the extra police patrols promised in the area catch the unruly evildoers in the act, or perhaps someone could lend the poor victim a small unspottable CCTV camera which could capture evidence on film.