A HAMPSHIRE dinner lady has told how she feared for her life after an enraged motorcyclist followed her son and tried to smash his way into their home.

Part-time cleaner and dinner lady Valerie Ellis, 61, said the vicious road-rage attack has rocked the sleepy village of West Tytherley, north of Romsey.

"I thought we were going to be killed, it was so scary," she said. "It's just not the sort of thing that happens in a place like this."

The nightmare began as 38-year-old Paul Ellis, a builder who lives with his mum, drove home late on Monday evening.

A motorcyclist behind him was swerving to try to overtake on the narrow country roads.

Paul, driving his white N-reg Mondeo, slowed down and made a sudden left turn off Tytherley Road, near Winterslow, causing the biker to swerve sharply.

The motorcyclist followed Paul all the way to his home in North Lane, West Tytherley, where he got out and apologised.

But the leather-clad biker swore and him and pulled a knife from his jacket.

Valerie, who was walking home, said she was entering the cottage when Paul bundled her inside.

"We rushed inside and bolted the door. Then we heard smashing glass and this hand appeared through the holes," she said.

"We ran into the other room and Paul put his weight against the door. We phoned the police but within seconds the front window was smashed in.

"We were both absolutely petrified. I really feared for our lives. It just didn't seem real."

The biker also slashed three of the tyres on Paul's car before roaring away on his

motorcycle.

Now the pair are joining police in appealing for anyone who knows anything about the attack to come forward.

Valerie, who works at West Tytherley village school, said her son was still too shaken to speak about the incident, but she added: "Everyone in the village thinks it's horrific.

"They can't believe it, not round here. Now we just want to find out who's behind it."

The biker was described as 6ft 2in, of big build and with a local accent.

He was wearing a black motorcycle helmet with a tinted visor and black or dark-coloured leathers.

Anyone with information should call Romsey CID on 0845 045 4545 or the free, anonymous Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.