DISABLED residents and their carers have said they are living under siege after a gang of yobs began terrorising their homes.

The families living in bungalows in Lincoln Road, Blackburn, said their lives were being made a misery by local youngsters climbing on to the roofs of their homes late at night.

Now residents, who have talked about their terror and feelings of isolation, are demanding stronger action from the police.

The youths are using car ports at the side of the homes for drinking binges , leaving families too scared to go out.

"We just can't sleep because it is so frightening and nothing is being done about it," said Dawn Slater, 61, who lives with her husband Martin, a bladder cancer sufferer who is confined to a wheelchair following a stroke three years ago.

Coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani, who represents the Audley ward, said he was drawing up a petition in order to block off a ginnel near to the homes which he believed was making the residents' problem worse.

Lancashire Constabulary said it has a Police Community Support Officer dedicated to the area who was working with residents and councillors to tackle the issue.

But Mr Slater said: "We see the police up here in the day but we need to see them up here at night time as well."

The bungalows, which are owned by Twin Valley Homes, are occupied by people with varying disabilities.

Mrs Slater said: "At four 'o' clock on Monday morning we had somebody on the roof and I wanted to go out and tackle them but Martin said it was not worth it.

"We can't do anything if there is someone out there because we are vulnerable people having to look after vulnerable people.

"These problems are happening week in, week out.

"If I ever get up during the night to use the toilet I let my dogs out in the back yard for a little run around. They use a nearby wall to climbonto the roof and the thought of someone watching me from up there while I let the dogs out sends shivers down my spine. It's terrifying."

Martin praised the help of the local PCSO Asif Malik, but said that alone was not enough.

He said: "We are being isolated because we are disabled and nothing is being done."

Living across from the couple is Patricia Hall, 66, who looks after husband David, 67, who is in a wheelchair following a stroke. Their neighbours are Teresa Pugh, 61, and daughter Colleen, 19, who suffers from muscular dystrophy.

They are concerned that the area in front of their homes is not properly lit which makes it easy for youths to use the carports on the side of the houses for drinking binges.

Patricia said: "It frightening because we can't do anything about it and you don't want to go out sometimes.

"They are picking on us because we have disabled people here and they are smoking and drinking in the carports and its just awful."

Ms Pugh has had her shed broken in to in recent weeks and said more street lighting was needed in the area outside the houses to deter the trouble makers.

Coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani, who represents the Audley ward, said he was aware of the problem and was considering launching a petition to get a ginnel at the back of the homes shut.

He said: "It is terrible that youths are taking advantage of these vulnerable people.

"We have had a problem with the same gang of youths in other areas but we have only managed to move them on to a different part of town.

"We are now trying to get rid of them all together."

Sgt Andy Winter said: "Highly visibly officers have been prioritised to work around the times which are causing concern for local residents.

"Recently we have held a number of initiatives specifically on Lincoln Road involving the use of the mobile CCTV van and speed awareness campaigns accompanied by high visibility policing.

"The Neighbourhood Policing Team would welcome any opportunity to discuss issues which affect the local community."