A GREENOCK mum feared she could have been killed after a firework was put through her letterbox.

Joan Ogilvie, 39, was watching television at home when she heard a hissing sound and jumped to her feet and ran to the door.

She said: "I was screaming - I saw the smoke and the sparkling colours of it. The door was locked and I was looking for the key.

"I opened the door and the next minute I saw a boy running along the road. I chased him but he was too fast." Luckily the firework only left a scorch mark in the hall but Joan and her husband Daniel, who have a teenage son and daughter, say the incident could have been a lot worse.

Joan said: "The electricity meter is in a cupboard in the hall.

"If a fire started there we would have been goners and so would the people in the houses on either side as well." Joan is furious youngsters are buying fireworks to cause a nuisance She said: "I'm totally disgusted - where are they getting them in the first place?

"I thought they could only be bought for organised displays - I'm totally scunnered." The attack, which happened around 10.20pm on Saturday, is the second time the Ogilvie family, who live in Leven Road, have suffered in this way.

On the same night a few years ago they were targeted by a yob who pushed a deadly firework through the letterbox.

Joan was badly burned and the porch area was damaged and this latest attack has brought all it back. She said: "It's a horrible feeling." But after the first attack, the couple invested in CCTV security and they hope this will help police trace the culprit, who was wearing a grey hooded top at the time.

Detective Inspector John Dearie, of Greenock police, said: "This is a very dangerous thing to do. It could have started a fire which could have had serious consequences for the people inside the house.

"We will do our hardest to find the person responsible for what could have developed into a serious crime." Anyone with information should call Greenock police on 492500.