A distraught mother today claimed she and her three young children were living in fear of an arsonist who has struck three times in little over a week at their Telford home.

The latest attack came at 10.50pm yesterday, when fires were started simultaneously at the front and the back of Lyn and Steve Reid’s end-terrace in Dallamoor, Hollinswood.

Mrs Reid, five-year-old twins Courtney and Charlotte, and her son Alex, seven, were asleep upstairs in bed at the time. Mr Reid, 36, was downstairs, saw the flames and got his family safely outside.

Mrs Reid, 44, needed oxygen treatment after suffering shock. An electrical box on the front of the house and a parasol in a garden table at the back had both been set ablaze.

Police and fire experts were today investigating the blazes. Mrs Reid said yesterday’s attack was the third in nine days.

She said a skip was set on fire near to where the family’s Renault Espace people carrier and a Vauxhall Vivaro van they were renting were parked on June 9.

Both vehicles were wrecked in an arson attack at 10.40pm on Saturday.

Mrs Reid said today: “Someone is obviously targeting us, but I have absolutely no idea why.

“I am absolutely terrified. They could come back tonight or any other night.

“We’ve got three little children and God knows what could happen to them. We only escaped unharmed last night because Steve managed to wake us and get us outside. I’m at my wits’ end over this.”

Police urged anyone with information to call them on 08457 444888.