SHOPKEEPERS on a Winsford estate say they will be forced out of business if yobs continue to terrorise them and make their lives a misery.

Surekha and Donny Nayee have run Geeta Supermarket, the only shop on the Greenfield estate, for five years but - after a serious burglary on Saturday night - problems with youths have got to the stage where the husband and wife fear for their personal safety.

Wheelie bins were placed against the shop and set alight in this latest incident and bricks were removed so that burglars could get inside, where they stole cases and bottles of beer.

The couple have also suffered abuse and swearing from youths hanging around the shop who create a nuisance by riding motorbikes over grassed areas and setting off fireworks.

Surekha said: "It is a nightmare.

"We had problems on and off for a while but they are worse now, and people are too scared to come in the shop when they see groups hanging around outside."

Bad lighting outside the shop is blamed for encouraging the youths to congregate.

Surekha said: "We have been without lights for eight months - not a single light out of seven is working and it's black out there."

Jayne Biddle, head of the residents' association on the estate, said: "Youths can commit acts of vandalism without being seen and get away with it. Things are getting worse - we're doing all we can with the relevant bodies but there's no quick and easy solution.

"We are supporting Mr and Mrs Nayee to the best of our ability - they serve the community and do a lot for the estate."

Sgt Gavin Day, of Cheshire Police, said that problems in the area are continually monitored and Community Action Team officers are committed to working with the community.

He said: "We have a number of operations planned in coming weeks to combat the problem behaviour and are confident that we can make a difference."