A FAMILY holidaying in Spain were kept under siege at their luxury villa by a 30-strong gang of armed yobs.

The terrified holidaymakers say they were trapped while the menacing thugs hurled bricks at windows and tried to get into the property.

Lyndon Sumner, 41 and his family were staying in Murcia at a new golf and country club complex, Sucina, in a luxury remote location.

But their holiday turned to hell after the run in with the local gang.

Mr Sumner said: "I've never been so scared in my entire life."

Mr Sumner, his wife Jowena, 36, their children, four-year-old Haidee and Maisy, six, were holidaying with Lyndon's brother Wayne, 45, his wife Jayne, 31 and their children Madalyn, three, and William, nine from Blackburn.

But they all found themselves made virtual "prisoners" by local thugs after earlier complaining about the gang's behaviour.

Mr Sumner said tourists were concerned by moped riders speeding through the holiday complex, which is still partly under construction.

And he believes the trouble was sparked when he complained to the riders on behalf of the holidaymakers.

Mr Sumner said he approached the moped rides asking them to move away from the children.

He said the small gang vanished before returning in an army of 30 who chased the families into their villa with pool cues.

Lyndon said his children were vomiting with the fright when the gang attempted to smash windows and doors to get inside.

The youths broke into the utility room and trashed it but made off before getting to the families when police arrived.

Lyndon, who runs his own roofing contracting company from his home in Beech Close, Clayton-le-Dale, said: "I've never been so scared in my entire life.

"It was like something out of a horror film. I think it is because we stood up to them. I was thinking of buying a house out there but now there is no way. We were so terrified we left the villa for the last two days of our holiday to stay in a hotel at extra expense to us. We just wanted to get away. We left at 3am the same night.

"They were shouting and screaming in Spanish. Which almost made it more scary because I didn't know what they were saying, or what they were threatening.

"It was so horrible it's hard to explain. The wives were screaming and the children were all being sick they were so scared. I didn't know how long it was going to last. I thought it would never end. Every minute was like an hour.

"The police didn't arrive for ages. They are far away and the complex is in the middle of nowhere. We felt on our own. It ruined our holiday."

The Guardia Civil in Murcia have now upped patrols in the area after a complaint was registered by the complex company president.

Gerry Sherry, from Sucina, said: "I have reported the incident to Guardia Civil who have started patrolling locally on a regular basis. The local councillors have become involved. Families have been asked to talk to their children which seems to be working.

"We have started a petition for a local police station here which may help.

"This bad incident has caused some considerable concern.

"I have personally apologised to the family. There has been no trouble since.

"The place is better and will continue to be."