The chair Mrs Davies was sitting on caught fire

As scenes of crime officers sealed off the property at Bryn Golau in the Dafen area of Llanelli, people living nearby said little was being done to stop youths causing trouble.

Marjorie Davies spent the night in a hospital burns unit after a 2ft rocket was fired through the double-glazed window of her living room.

Her friend and neighbour Bernard Chapman said police and council housing officers needed to clampdown on under-age-drinking, drug taking and other anti-social behaviour.

What has happened to this lady in her own home is frightening - truly frightening Councillor Tegwen Devichand

The Bryn Golau estate is made up of council-run and privately-owned homes with building work under way for new social housing.

"Years ago we use to be able to leave your front door open but you would not dare to it now," said Mr Chapman.

"We use to chat over the wall, pop around for cups of tea and have street parties.

"Now the place has gone wild. There are empty beer cans thrown in our gardens, needles have been found and they are always causing trouble for the security man on the building site.

"In the last few weeks we have had fireworks going off at all times - I was woken at 0500BST the other night.

"Now it has taken this to happen before something is done."

Complaints

Carmarthenshire councillor for Dafen, Tegwen Devichand, said efforts had been made to demolish boarded-up and unfit homes in the area.

But she said the problem of anti-social behaviour had not gone away.

Marjorie Davies' hair was set alight by the firework

"There has been problems involving gangs of youths for years and I'm making complaints to the police at least every month," she said.

"I am very concerned because there are new social houses going up here for the most vulnerable and they need to be protected.

"I've have had meetings with the police and council housing officers but the problem has continued.