Rebecca Brooks said car-loads of revellers from miles around drove up their mile-long drive, stormed into their Georgian house and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Four door staff hired by the family were unable to handle the boozy throng, and when the police were called they cleared the house with dogs, but were pelted with glass.

The fancy dress disco party at Colehayes Park - usually a field study centre - was held on Friday night to celebrate Mrs Brooks' daughter's 18th birthday.

There were 100 invited guests, but someone called a Radio One slot on which people can tell the audience what they are doing that night.

Mrs Brooks, 54, said someone called the BBC with details of the party. "I blame the BBC for this," she said, adding: "We are considering our options."

The party at Colehayes Park at Bovey Tracey, on the edge of Dartmoor, began at around 7pm.

But then the gatecrashers began to arrive, said Mrs Brooks, adding: "It was terrifying, absolutely terrifying. The droves of people coming towards the house was frightening, it looked like we had a rock festival here."

The gatecrashers had stopped in a local supermarket to stock up on booze, and Mrs Brooks said she was shocked to see girls swigging neat vodka from the bottle.

Devon and Cornwall Police said some of those who left the party went on to the Coach Inn and the Thatch Inn. A number of people were arrested after problems were caused, but police were unable to say whether anyone had been charged.