The west Belfast Posh and Becks fanatics - who changed their names in 2003 by deed poll from Gerard and Elizabeth Donnelly to David and Victoria Beckham in honour of their heroes - have been forced to board up their home and install CCTV cameras in a desperate bid to keep their tormentors away.

All the ground windows at the front of their Tullymore Gardens home - which proudly displays a plaque with the house name Beckingham Palace - have been smashed and the couple are so worried about further attacks that they said they will not be removing the wooden boarding that is currently securing the house.

"I'll paint over the wood to make it look better but I'm going to keep the boards up. As soon as new glass is put in I know they will come back and smash them up again so it is the only thing to do," said David.

"We are like prisoners in our own home and the house is almost in darkness but we can't take the chance of removing the boards and getting the windows smashed again.

"I bought and installed the CCTV cameras as well to try and keep them away. The cameras seem to be doing the job so far, so fingers crossed."

Victoria added: "I hate not being able to see outside but I don't think we have any other choice. I would just be waiting for the windows to be smashed again."

Ever since the couple hit the headlines in 2003 when they changed their names to David and Victoria Beckham they have become mini-celebrities across the province.

The Manchester United fans do not believe they have been targeted because of their football preference or their well-documented love of the Beckhams but say they are victims of a major anti-social behaviour problem in the area.

"We get recognised a lot when we are out but it is nothing to do with that or because we support Manchester United. It is because those responsible are a bad lot," said David.

He added: "There is a very big anti-social behaviour problem around here and there is a group of lads about 15 or 16 years-old running around terrorising people in the area and throwing things at their windows.

"They came twice in one night to our house about three weeks ago. The first time was about 7.30pm and then later at around 1.40am. I was in bed but Vicky was in the kitchen when this big ball of ice smashed the window.

"The window contractors for the Housing Executive told us they had other calls in the area which goes to show how big a problem it is. The PSNI is investigating it and we have been in touch with representatives from Community Restorative Justice who said there is an anti-social behaviour problem here.

" We are still waiting for our new windows to be installed but as soon as they are put in the boarding is going straight over the top of them and won't be coming down.

"We shouldn't have to put up with this; neither should anyone else in the area. We could move house, but why should we? We will not be chased from our home, a place where I have lived for 50 years - my whole life".

Local Sinn Fein MLA Paul Maskey said: "We would urge anyone doing this to stop as it is very unfair to anyone on the receiving end. Those responsible could be putting peoples' health at risk as victims worry about it happening again.

"People should not have to live under these circumstances or threats."

A Housing Executive spokesman said: "There has been a slight increase in incidents of anti-social behaviour within this area."