A disabled grandmother has vowed not to be forced out of her home by the hooded thugs who are waging a campaign of violence and vandalism against her.

Paula Waites, aged 56, who has mutiple sclerosis, is living in constant fear after her bungalow in Great Lever was targeted by yobs on consecutive weekends.

In one incident she was sent crashing to the ground after bravely grappling with a hooded thug who had broken into her back garden.

Mrs Waites has been targeted by a gang who smashed down her back gate and began kicking the back door of her home.

Mrs Waites, whose home has been adapted for her disabilities, believes the gangs are trying to steal her mobility scooter.

She says they have been harassing her for at least 12 months.

But the mother of four remains defiant and says she will not let the thugs win.

"They are trying to rob me. I'm not safe. I'm under siege 24-hours a day. I can't cope anymore. I can't sleep," said Mrs Waites, who is also epileptic.

"But I will not be a victim any more and I will defend what is mine."

On March 10, Mrs Waites was woken at around 10.15pm by her Chihuahua dog, Charlie, who ran to her back door barking.

Mrs Waites opened the door, thinking she had left one of her cats outside and saw two youths wearing hoodies in her garden.

One fled but the other approached Mrs Waites, who bravely grabbed him, while her dog tried to bite him on the legs.

But the thug threw her to ground and ran off, leaving Mrs Waites having to crawl to her living room to phone the police.

"Charlie is my little hero. He was swinging on his pants legs," she said.

The following day, the cable to a CCTV camera at the front her home was cut.

The latest incident was at about 7.30pm on Sunday, when three youths smashed into her back garden and tried to kick their way into her home.

The trio fled after being disturbed by a neighbour, but not before stealing nine garden lights and a broom.

The Bolton at Home anti-social behaviour team and police are investigating the incidents and plan to step up security at Mrs Waites' home.

A Bolton at Home spokesman said: "We are working closely with the customer to investigate these recently reported incidents and will support the police to identify offenders.

"Bolton at Home does not tolerate anti-social behaviour of any kind and is committed to support residents who have suffered from it."

Chief Inspector Martin Greenhalgh said: "We are working to help support the victim as well as to investigate the crimes and find the people responsible.

"The people who are targeting this woman are nothing more the cowards, preying on a vulnerable woman who has been left absolutely terrified by their actions."

He added: "They should be ashamed of what they are doing and we are determined to put a stop to this. Anybody with any information about the people responsible is asked to contact police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."