A COUPLE say they feel violated following an arson attack on their hedge which has left them with a £1,000 repair bill.

Freda and Clive Williams were in their bungalow in Kidderminster when Mrs Williams spotted flames from their hedgerow through her kitchen window last Thursday.

A 25ft section of Leyland Cypress trees in the bungalow's back garden has been left badly damaged and plastic house guttering partly melted.

Mrs Williams, of Morillon Court, said she had been left "shaken" by the "inexcusable" attack.

Their hedge borders a quarter-acre of green space, known as the coppice, maintained by Wyre Forest District Council.

Mr Williams saw youths lighting fires earlier during the day on another patch of waste ground next to the coppice, which is used as a BMX track.

He added there had been problems with young people lighting fires, littering and using bad language before but wanted police action following the latest incident.

Mr Williams was sitting down to watch the evening news while his wife was preparing dinner in the kitchen when she saw smoke outside, at 5.50pm. She said: "Within seconds, I saw flames and they were about 12ft high."

Her husband rushed outside and tried to tackle the flames but Mrs Williams quickly realised they needed help and dialled 999.

Meanwhile, Mr Williams tried desperately to stop the fire spreading along the hedge to a neighbour's fence, using the garden hose.

The flames were so fierce they melted the hose nozzle and burned the top of his scalp.

Firefighters arrived shortly afterwards and used high-pressure hose reels to put out the flames.

Mrs Williams, a former teacher at Winterfold House School, said she believed "thoughtless" youths were behind the attack.

John Aston, Conservative Wyre Forest district councillor, witnessed the fire at its height and described the coppice as "an ideal hiding place" for youngsters.

Helen Dyke, Liberal Democrat district councillor, said she hoped police made "a real effort" to catch those responsible.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call PC Lee Wycherley on 08457 444888 or ring Crimestoppers.