A NOSTALGIC return to her home town turned into a nightmare for a Preston woman, who claims her life has been made a misery by Tanterton thugs.

The woman, who asked not to be named, says she now sits in her one-bedroomed flat with the lights turned off every evening, so the teenagers who have made her life a misery think she's not at home.

The yobs throw bricks at her windows, and hurl objects at her when she dares venture out of her home.

She has even had her telephone disconnected after receiving malicious calls.

The woman, who is in her 20s, believes the thugs' actions are as a result of one incident - she once asked them to stop being noisy when they were shouting outside her home while she was ill in bed.

She told the Citizen: "I returned to Preston a year ago from the south. I had such fond memories of Preston.

"I thought I would be happy here, but the last few months have been an absolute nightmare. The thugs are relentless. All I want to do is live in peace.

"I appreciate this isn't the best area of Preston, but I thought I could keep myself to myself. I sit here in the dark now because I don't want them to know I am here. I am scared to step outside my home."

Her house has also been burgled, after which she made her only call to the police. But she fears a police presence will cause more problems.

Denise Hartley, from local group INTAG (Ingol and Tanterton Action Group), which is made up of local police, councillors and other intrested parties, is trying to improve the area, said help was at hand.

She said: "This woman is more than welcome to contact us and we will try to help. The area has improved greatly over the past few months, with crime rates plummeting.

"It is horrible when things like this happen, but we can help and things can get better."

A police spokesman said any incident should be reported to the police.

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