A WAR veteran is being terrorised in a sinister late night vendetta by a 'knock and run' pest who has rattled on his door a staggering 140 times since this May.

"All I want is a decent night's sleep again" says John Martindale (84) of Burnage Avenue, Clock Face, who claims the torment has made his life hell for the past 18 months.

The angry pensioner, an ex-army sergeant who mounted guard at Windsor Castle during World War Two, is now urging police to step up patrols and capture the culprit.

John told The Star: "During the last 18 months, almost every night I have been disturbed by someone constantly knocking on my door. I never get a full night's rest."

"Surely after five and a half years in the army during the last war I shouldn't have to put up with all this trouble and sleepless nights."

John has also kept a diary of the knocks on the door and passed them on to the police.

He added: "I have complained to the police and the latest information I have is that they cannot spare the patrol officers to ride up and down Burnage Avenue where all the incidents are happening. The police say they have a lot of sympathy for me and would like to ask my son if he would like to stay a couple of nights with me - but like me, he thinks it is a matter for the police."

Police in St Helens say they are aware of Mr Martindale's problems and regular patrols are made in the area. However, they cannot place an officer in Burnage Avenue permanently throughout the night.

Inspector Bill Brown, neighbourhood inspector for West Sutton, Grange Park and Thatto Heath, told the Star: "One of the difficulties is that the incidents happen throughout the night - from 1am to 7.10am. This gives us tremendous problems if we patrol permanently in Burnage Avenue.

"A considerable amount of time is given to the Four Acre Estate but the permanent deployment of an officer in Burnage Avenue would take officers away from other serious incidents in the town."

Inspector Brown sent a warning to whoever is conducting this vendetta, adding: "I would suggest who is doing this should consider the amount of distress this is causing."

"Sooner or later there is going to be a police officer in the right place and the offender will be caught and arrested and all the other incidents will be taken into account when they are prosecuted."

He added police had been in talks with St Helens Council officials about the placement of CCTV cameras on the Four Acre estate, but any development could be months away.