NOVELIST Ruth Hamilton is planning a move back home to Bolton - to escape the yob culture she says is ruining her life in Liverpool.

Painting a grim picture of life in Crosby, where she has lived for over ten years, Ms Hamilton is now house-hunting in her place of birth after enduring a spate of incidents.

And the best-selling author says the problem has got so bad she has enquired about the possibility of hiring personal bodyguards and obtaining a firearms licence.

Ms Hamilton, aged 61, said: "I love it here but these people are making my life hell and damaging my health.

"I am looking at moving to Horwich or Rivington or my favourite place in the whole world - Bromley Cross. Bolton is now the only place where I will sign books and it is my home."

Ms Hamilton, currently working on her latest Bolton-based novel 'Saturday's Child', said youths smashed the window of a friend's car outside her home last week.

She says teenagers are regularly fighting and kicking flower displays over outside her home - causing residents to cower in terror inside their homes.

And she has described the police as "ineffectual", describing Crosby as an "alcoholics paradise."

Cars are regularly smashed and wing mirrors ripped off, she said.

Her concerns come after she pulled out of a book signing session last December after a crank caller shouted abuse down the telephone.

Ms Hamilton had planned to sign copies of her 14th novel Mulligan's Yard at Sweetens Book Shop, Deansgate, but cancelled fearing for her safety.

She said: "None of these burdens to society was 18, many looked 14 at the most and they are all out on the streets until 3.30am.

"They have no chance of a useful life, so they target all we have worked for - our homes, our vehicles, our peace of mind."

"As this community does little for me in return, I shall be taking my income elsewhere, shall be relocating and, in view of the state of this village, I hereby advise anyone with an expensive home to sell now before the value of property tumbles.

"After 22 years in Crosby, I shall be sad to depart, but needs must when devil youths drive us out. Disturbances and vandalism around my home are a constant factor. These thugs are dangerous, drunk and possibly drugged.

"We have learnt the hard way that we cannot win, that these louts have the upper hand, that we are powerless.

"I am going to get someone to come over and stay at my house on the weekend and I have enquired about a shotgun licence. I don't let the grass change its length and if someone hurts me then I will fight back."

Ms Hamilton's latest novel Saturday's Child, the story of three women who were all born on a Saturday, is based in the Deane and Daubhill area of Bolton.

But the problems have put back the release date of the book. It is now scheduled for June.