A WOMAN has been the victim of a frightening firework attack in which "cowardly" teenage yobs fired rockets at her.

Lorna Crofter said the 15-strong gang fled in cars after she confronted them following the incident as she exercised her dog, Maffick, near Worcester's Pitchcroft racecourse.

The 40-year-old mother was walking away from Sabrina Bridge in Grandstand Road at 10.30pm, on Tuesday, when the teenagers launched the rockets from Croft Road car park, about 50 yards away.

She asked them to let her by but, after passing the gang, one of them set off a rocket, which exploded close behind.

"They set off a second firework horizontally, which went off right behind me," she said.I spun round. When I started towards them they laughed and shot into their cars and sped off.

"I've always worked with young people and I have never come across such a bunch of idiots and cowards."

Mrs Crofter reported the incident to the police.

They confirmed a second incident at Pitchcroft in which a passing car was the target of a firework at the same place and around the same time.

"This sort of behaviour is idiotic," said a police spokesman. "Besides creating anxiety and misery for the victims, it could end in serious injury - or worse - to innocent people or animals."

He said officers would be using new fireworks legislation to combat the thugs.

Worcestershire county councillor Richard Udall, a veteran fireworks campaigner, was shocked that anyone would aim an explosive device at another person.

"These explosives are legally available in the shops. Until this is stopped, these incidents will continue to happen," he said.

He added the new laws had failed to solve the problem.

"Unless police catch the culprit, literally with the firework in their hand, there's nothing anyone can do about this anti-social behaviour."

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call police on 08457 444 888.