A GORLESTON man says his family are living in fear after he was threatened and attacked for criticising Great Yarmouth's outer harbour project.John Cooper, 73, of Burnt Lane, says he has been targeted twice while walking his Yorkshire terrier Winnie along Darby's Hard in Gorleston in June and July.

A GORLESTON man says his family are living in fear after he was threatened and attacked for criticising Great Yarmouth's outer harbour project.

John Cooper, 73, of Burnt Lane, says he has been targeted twice

while walking his Yorkshire terrier Winnie along Darby's Hard in Gorleston in June and July.

During the first incident on June 11, a motorist pulled alongside him in

an old black Renault and warned him: “If you carry on putting articles in the Mercury about the outer harbour you will end up in the outer harbour.”

A month later, the same car pulled up alongside him with a passenger.

Mr Cooper said the passenger opened his door into him as he was walking along, in an apparent attempt to push him into the river.

He managed to hold on to a post beside the river to prevent himself falling in and was able to pull his dog away from the car.

However, the father-of-four said: “It has had a bigger affect on my wife and children. My wife has been particularly upset about it and it is for that reason that I have decided to stop writing to the Mercury about the outer harbour.”

He has also had to change his walking route since the incidents, though he did not know who was responsible as he could not see any of the car's occupants.

The car's number plate was obscured by a rag hanging from the boot. Police spokeswoman Laura Bagshaw said police were investigating.