THUGS launched a late night smoke bomb attack on the home of a couple who live in a troubled area of Accrington.

The man and woman, who are both in their 50s and live in the Woodnook district, have been subjected to a series of frightening attacks.

Woodnook hit the headlines earlier this year when residents held a public meeting and claimed the area has been turned into a haven for drug addicts and criminals.

The couple at the centre of the smoke bomb incident have been so scared by the long-running spate of attacks they asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.

The owner of the house in Clement Street, a former factory worker, is also on the waiting list for a triple heart by-pass operation.

His wife was at home watching television with a friend when the latest attack was launched.

She said: "All of a sudden there was an enormous bang and when we opened the door all this dense grey smoke came pouring out of the kitchen. And then it filled the whole house."

Police found a home-made smoke bomb tied to a brick had been thrown through the kitchen window.

In the space of four years the couple have had paint stripper poured on their car, the windscreen smashed and bricks thrown through windows.

The woman added: "It has got to the stage where it doesn't bother me any more but my husband still gets worked up about the situation.

"We have a pretty good idea who is doing this but the police say they have to have evidence."

Police met with community leaders and residents in a bid to solve the problem in Woodnook and a community forum has been formed.

Local people were also upset when a notorious family from Blackburn, who have since left Accrington, moved onto Clement Street.

Accrington police confirmed the vandals caused around £75 worth of damage. The home-made smoke bomb has been taken away by detectives for forensic tests.

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