A firebomb attack at the home of Councillor Neil Gerrard on Friday evening was the climax of a terrifying week of death-threat letters and phone calls.

Mr Gerrard, 44, heads Labour-controlled Waltham Forest Council in North-East London where rates have rocketed by 62 per cent.

He believes that some people are so angry about the rise that there may soon be a serious attempt on his life.

His telephone answering machine recorded a vicious call now being studied by police.

A man claiming to be from the National Front said: "We are going to get you, you bastard."

Looking tense and white, Mr Gerrard said today at his Victorian terraced home in Campbell Road, Walthamstow: "Obviously after Friday evening it is a possibility that someone might try to kill me.

"Whoever has been making these calls has to be quite unstable.

"I will be talking to the police and following whatever advice they give me so far as security goes."

He added; "There have been several threats on my life as well as abusive phone calls over the past week and this latest incident is of course quite serious.

"I don't think what happened is anything whatsoever to do with mainstream politics,

"At the public meeting and demonstration last week people expressed disapproval at the rate rise but in an orderly way."

Disaster was averted in Friday's petrol bomb incident after elderly neighbours heard the bottle smashing against his front door, saw flames and immediately phoned the fire brigade.

Mr Gerrard said; "It was very lucky that neighbours heard the noise."