A Cardiff councillor has revealed the depths of abuse she's received after being called 'Satan' on social media.

Conservative councillor Jayne Cowan said she has received death and rape threats through the post, had dog faeces rubbed on the windows of her home, and had chilling silent phone calls.

Cllr Cowan, who represents Rhiwbina, said she has also had dead flowers through her letter box and her car vandalised on several occasions.

She will not give in to the "bullies" but said she's worried about the abuse putting people off entering politics.

"It's making me more determined," said Cllr Cowan, who will have been a councillor in Cardiff for 20 years in May.

"People thought it would break me but it just makes me stronger. What concerns me is people who may enter politics see this happen and it would put them off. But I don't think the bullies should win."

Cllr Cowan says she was receiving daily silent phone calls around six years ago but the abuse is more sporadic now.

She said the abuse was at its height when she was speaking out over Hazelcroft Residential Home in Fairwater, which was shut in 2001 after allegations of neglect and abuse of residents.

Cllr Cowan was given a rape alarm by police in response to the threats and silent phone calls and police have also assessed the security of her home.

She said the abuse has not affected her mental health but has made her fearful for her safety – some abusive messages have warned her not to go out of the house on her own.

But she said being called 'Satan' by one anonymous Twitter account, who has trolled her dozens of times in just a few months, was "a first".

The 'Satan' insult was posted in response to a picture of Cllr Cowan playing skittles with Cardiff Central Conservatives. The post said "Satan visited did he (think) there was a bad mood come over the city".

Posts from that same user, who Cllr Cowan said had been "vociferous" towards her, have said the politician was "as weak as Theresa May and have less human morals" and in another post asked whether she was "in drag".

When Cllr Cowan tweeted about the abuse she had she received an outpouring of support across political divides – which she said "meant the world".

Cllr Cowan said she was being targeted because she was outspoken and a member of the Conservative party, as well as having a large social media following.

She said: "If people want to make a difference they need to put their head above the parapet and stand up for what they believe in. I don't want the bullies to win."