MOVING OUT: Dawn and Andy Naylor with their son, Shane, who have been forced out of their home again after receiving death threats

A family were today in hiding after death threats forced them to flee their York home for the second time in three months.

The non-stop abuse has already led to a suicide attempt in the family - and the 61-year-old grandmother has been subjected to menacing phone calls at work.

Now Dawn Naylor, the mother of the family, says she can no longer live in York, the city she has always called home.

She and her relatives spent their last night in a council safe house huddled in an upstairs bedroom clutching baseball bats provided by other concerned families, such was their fear of attack.

Dawn, husband Andy and their son, Shane, were run out of their house in Etty Avenue, Tang Hall, in November after a sustained campaign of abuse, intimidation and damage.

But they have now fled the safe house to which they were moved by the city council after their tormentors tracked them down to an address in Clifton.

Last night the family once again hastily packed their belongings and escaped to a secret address, where they hope their living nightmare will finally end.

The Evening Press reported last year how the Naylors were subjected to a catalogue of abuse, including arson, vandalism and attacks on their pets. Their phone line was cut and they nailed shut their letterbox after petrol was poured through it.

But when they moved to the new home the intimidation continued.

On Thursday night the Naylors, no longer able to take the strain of fearing for their lives, decided enough was enough.

"It's all been so traumatic for us all and it's been affecting our health," said Mrs Naylor.

She said that living in fear for so long had pushed her over the edge, and she recently took an overdose of pills in an attempt to escape the torment.

"I have lived in York all my life, but this has all just become too much and we cannot live in the city any more."

She thanked the council for relocating them to safety.

Community safety officer PC John Bolton said he was saddened that the family, who had given support to their community, had felt pressured into moving because of a trouble-making minority.

He said he had nothing but respect for the family, who had shown great strength of character during their ordeal.

"City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police have offered - and continue to offer - the family their help and support."

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