Alison Laughton reckons the online abuse is coming from debt collectors who are trying to scare her into abandoning her new office at Diss in Norfolk.

She told the Eastern Daily Press:

"I have had threatening e-mails and calls because we are challenging the industry and the threats are now very personal to me - things like trying to cut brake cables on my car and threatening to harm my dog."

Miss Laughton is also having problems getting essential phone lines installed at her new premises and has been told the work cannot be done until the end of the month.

Her Bailiff Watchdog service is already running from Bristol. The police are investigating Miss Laughton's complaints.