A fed-up family told today how they have endured years of harassment from hooligans, who hurl everything from rocks to urine-soaked tomatoes at their front door.

Jason and Kellie Grady had an umbrella shoved through their letterbox - and even stepped outside to find an uprooted tree on the step.

The couple's four children regularly have their sleep disturbed by kicking and banging on the door.

On occasions when Mr Grady has gone out to remonstrate, he has found himself surrounded by between 15 and 20 youths.

The Gradys, of Chase Court, Greenstead, Colchester, have seen an airgun pellet fired at the back of their house, their car defaced with spray-paint and their garden paddling pool ruined by vandals, who ripped the canvas.

Mrs Grady, 29, has also been pushed against railings as a teenage gang shoved past her.

She said today she was keen to remain in her council house with Jason, 34, and youngsters Victoria, 11, William, nine, Carl, six, and Nadine, four, who suffers from the spinal deformity scoliosis.

But she said years of harassment had taken its toll on family life.

"We think we are being targeted because we are next to an alleyway where people are coming through all the time," Mrs Grady said.

Essex Police is looking to bring in a dispersal order covering half of the Greenstead estate.

Set to start in July, it will give officers automatic powers to move on youths found out of doors at night.