BABY-faced yobs are vandalising cars, property and play equipment on a family estate, according to residents who say their lives are being made a misery because of their actions.

A play area off Waggon Road and Romiley Crescent in Breightmet was set alight on Saturday afternoon in what is said to be the latest in a series of arson attacks in the area.

Safety flooring was damaged in the blaze, which was tackled by firefighters.

Neighbours say their estate has been blighted by yobs, some as young as 12-years-old, since September, leaving people feeling frightened and vulnerable.

One resident, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals from the gang said: "There have been multiple fires on the play area.

"At weekends they can be there from about 11.30am and no children can use the park. Even when they are not there is smashed glass on the ground.

"Cars have been damaged, stones and eggs thrown at windows. My car has been damaged and I have had to have it repaired on the insurance which has cost me £100 a time, which means I can't spend that money on my kids.

"My son won't go out because he doesn't want to be associated with them, and children on the estate don't play out like they used to."

She said she has contacted the council and police and in the latest incident, police came out to the estate within minutes of the fire service arriving at the park.

"Most of them ran away and police did speak to some of them who didn't run away. Maybe CCTV would be a deterrent.

"There can be up to 40 of them at the park, aged from around 12 to 16, and we do feel intimidated and vulnerable. Some people have put their houses up for sale because they have had enough, people who have lived on this estate for years.

"It is not fair that we should have to live like this."

The resident said that before gang of youths arrived, the play area was well used, with older children playing football on the field.

"The football pitches have been fenced off to stop them from vandalising it," she said, "They have spoilt it for everyone."

She added: "We have elderly people on this estate, and it used to be a lovely estate, where people could sit out but we don't feel we can do that any more."