YOBS scrawling graffiti and setting fire to trees are making the lives of some Portishead residents a misery.

People living alongside Chicken Path, a well-preserved, traditional footpath linking Lower Down Road to Rippleside and then Rippleside to Downside and Slade Road, have put up with graffiti attacks on their garden walls which border the path for years.

However, more recently vandals have started setting fire to gardens.

Kelly Millerchip’s parents, who live in Rippleside had a row of Leylandii trees set alight last week.

Kelly said: “Someone is going to get hurt if this is not stopped.

“My parents were in bed when their garden was set on fire and a quick-thinking neighbour had to throw a wet blanket over my dad’s car to protect it. It was just inches away from the burning trees.

“If the car had gone up, who knows, the house could have too.”

The problems have continued despite the fact tackling antisocial behaviour near the path was made a policing priority at the town’s PACT meeting in May. Residents filled the meeting to raise concerns about a number of incidents that had occurred at the trouble spot.

Portishead sergeant Jim Robinson said: ‘’We are aware of the problem and have increased patrols in the area; we are also working closely with the council to improve the situation. This type of behaviour is not acceptable and the police will deal robustly with anyone identified as being responsible.”

Anyone with information which may help bring the offenders to justice should call the police on 101.