Ref. 28245-53A MOTHER from Penhill says she fears for the safety of her children after arsonists set fire to their block of flats.

Victoria Dimino, 24, says the fire is the final straw after constant worries about drug dealing.

She and her two daughters, who live in Inglesham Road, were alerted by the smell of smoke coming from the flat below shortly after 8pm on Tuesday.

The single mum grabbed eight-month-old Safia and Bethany, three, and ran to safety.

The fire alarm had not been activated.

Police have confirmed they are treating the blaze as arson and say it could have had serious consequences had it not been contained.

Miss Dimino said: "We all smelt the smoke but people are always burning things around here.

"A friend, who I had invited round for dinner, saw that the flat below us was on fire and we got out.

"I didn't have time to properly dress the kids they were wearing only nighties.

"Safia was born prematurely and has a heart murmur and she had to wait outside in the freezing cold until it was declared safe."

Now Miss Dimino is demanding action.

"My three-year-old refuses to sleep in her own bed at night because of all the shouting outside from neighbours," she said.

"She is so scared by the noise that she sometimes wets the bed."

Miss Dimino, who has resorted to anti-depressants, says she has contacted Swindon Council on several occasions asking them to find her family somewhere else to live, but to no avail.

"They tell me that they will not move me until I make a statement about the people who are responsible but I can't do that," she said.

"I have to think about my kids' safety."

She is also worried about drug dealing in Penhill, and fears her toddler will pick up one of the needles that she says are left lying on the ground.

Miss Dimino said: "The other day Bethany came up to me and said 'mummy what are needles?' What can you say to that?"

It turned out that the girl had heard a user ask for some clean needles so he could have a fix.

Swindon Council spokes-man Gavin Calthrop said the council is taking Miss Dimino's case seriously and is working against all types of anti-social behaviour.

He said: "Swindon Council has the power to resolve problems like the ones being experienced by Miss Dimino and has a proven track record of using these powers when necessary.

"This council does not take issues like the ones raised by Miss Dimino lightly and with her help has already taken legal steps to resolving the situation.

"We would encourage her to continue working with us to bring a swift and satisfactory end to this matter."