POLICE today promised action after a couple said their lives had been made a living hell for the last two years by youngsters kicking a football against their home.

The pair say they have to endure up to four hours of thumping against their wall and broken windows.

James Rimmer and Bernadette Kay, of Apple Court, Blackburn, say that since they moved into the end terrace they have had to put up with the constant thudding until 10.30pm every night of the week.

Mr Rimmer, 65, said: "When they start playing at 6pm we have to go upstairs because we're petrified of the windows smashing around us."

He said his partner, Mrs Kay, 55, had become so scared that she had been to the doctors because of her nerves.

The retired shopfitter has spoken to his housing association Ashiana and the police. But he says every time the police move the children on, they came back the next night.

Mr Rimmer, who retired after a massive heart attack and stroke in 1990, said: "It's been a living hell.

"I've been out to ask them to stop but all I get for my troubles is abuse.

"If I'm feeling tired or ill and I want to go to bed early, I can't because all the banging keeps me awake.

"If one of the windows smashes, it costs £150 and we have to pay for it. We can't afford to do that.

"I've had a word with Ashiana but they haven't done anything, so I've now sent a letter to the managing director .

"It's been going on for two years now, every night, all I want is for it to stop."

Inspector Stuart Whittle said: "If it's a persistent annoyance we will be able to get the area beat manager to do something about it.

"We'll go down and try to find out who the children are and then have a word with their parents.

"If it persists even more we'll then get further involved."

Nobody at Ashiana would comment.