A HAMPSHIRE mother has spoken of how a children's New Year's party turned into a nightmare when arsonists torched the flat where ten youngsters were sleeping.

Michelle Dennis had been hosting a New Year's Eve party at her home and had allow-ed her children's friends to stay the night.

However, as they slept in the early hours of New Years Day the three-bedroom flat was deliberately set alight about 4am.

Ms Dennis, 34, told the Daily Echo of the moment she realised her Forton Road home in Gosport was on fire.

"Someone was throwing stones up at the children's window and they came into our room to tell us the house was on fire. By that time the fire service had arrived. It was just terrifying, the children all had to climb out of the window still in their pyjamas, it was awful," she said.

The fire had started in the hallway blocking their escape but amazingly all ten youngsters, aged between 14 and 16, escaped without serious injury after firefighters plucked them from the windows of the burning building, along with Michelle and her partner Darren Smith, 21.

Two of the children required oxygen after inhaling smoke.

Ms Dennis, who has three children Mark, 16, Mathew, 14, and Natalie, 12, said: "It was terrifying. We had a great night and all saw in the New Year together, it was mainly the children and their mums and dads who were with us.

"So much for it being a Happy New Year it has been an absolute nightmare. We have got nowhere to stay now. I can't believe anyone would do something like that deliberately, I just hope the police find who did it before they can do it again."

Detectives have now launched an arson investigation following an examination of the home.

Leading the inquiry Detective Constable Paul Diaper said: "The fire was started deliberately and the occupants of the flat are incredibly lucky to have escaped. There was the potential for serious injury, or worse still, loss of life. There had been a party at the flat earlier in the evening and we are trying to establish everyone who was at 165C Forton Road. We would ask anyone who was there and has not yet contacted police to get in touch with Gosport CID, as they may be able to help us with our inquiries."

Anyone with information can contact Det Con Paul Diaper at Gosport CID on 0845 045 4545 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.