A family of four were forced to flee when their home was firebombed early today.

Richard and Angela Grimbley and their two sons, John and Chris, were awoken by an explosion on their doorstep in Ryecroft, Strensall, just after 1.30am.

A brick had been used to smash a pane of glass in their front door and a firebomb, possibly a bottle containing paraffin, had been hurled at it.

Firefighters were called, and police are now investigating the incident.

The family were badly shaken by the attack which they believe was a determined attempt to cause them serious harm.

Mr Grimbley said: "It's left me feeling very insecure. I have no doubt they intended to set fire to the staircase and trap us upstairs.

"Our son doesn't want to stay in the house. He's frightened he's going to get trapped upstairs in a fire."

The Grimbleys believe the attack is linked to an earlier incident in York Road, Strensall, at about 10.40 last night.

As they were returning from the pub they passed two youths playing loud music on a portable stereo and smashing alcopop bottles.

When Mr Grimbley looked at them, one started to hurl abuse, and when he tried to remonstrate they became threatening.

"They started following us and saying 'we know where you live and we're going to get you'," he said.

The couple called the police on a mobile phone and the youths left before officers arrived. The couple gave descriptions of the pair to police.

Mrs Grimbley said: "We were obviously a little bit upset and we sat up for a while. After we had gone to bed we were woken by a loud bang.

"I looked out and saw there was a fire in the road and the front door was on fire. I called the police and got the kids downstairs."

Police investigating the attack want to speak to two youths. They are both 5ft 8in and of stocky build and the other 5ft 10in and slim.

Detective Constable Duncan Thackray said: "Somebody has obviously gone to some length in preparing this item to attack the Grimbley's home, and it's obviously a shocking incident.

"We are interested in tracing these two people or speaking to anybody who may have seen or heard the earlier incident."

Anyone with information should contact PC Thackray on 01904 669351 or York Police Station on 631321.

Updated: 16:11 Monday, April 02, 2001