A mob of up to 25 masked men smashed a family’s mobile homes in front of a terrified mum and her two young daughters.

The victim, a Romany gypsy, said death threats and verbal abuse were hurled at them before the gang realised there were children on the site and left within about 12 minutes.

Police are investigating the incident in Scalby Road, Southminster, as a hate crime.

The young mum, who did not wish to be identified, said it will cost about £15,000 to repair the damage to the two mobile homes, which are not insured.

* Full story in today's Burnham Standard.