GREATER Manchester Asians are being urged to buy see through bags to to counter fears of terrorism on public transport.

The organisation marketing the clear bags deny their product will brand Asian wearers. They insist the aim is to counter anxiaety over bombs on buses, trains and in public places.

The Assist Safety Project hopes thousands of travellers will buy their so-called Freedom Bags.

In their advertising literature they say: "Every day on every commuter train and bus in all parts of the country there is somebody checking out his or her fellow passengers with the burning question: is the man standing over there, perspiring with the big, black bag, about to blow us up?"

Asked if people of Asian appearance were a particular sales target group Assist operations manger Dean Hurst said: "Yes I guess that's right. It is a sad fact that among the people who are having their lives disrupted are often people of an Asian appearance.

"We do not want to brand people we just want to look at ways we can relieve their discomfort. We think it will help if everyone can see all that is in the bag is a gym kit and a packet of sandwiches.

"This is a national campaign. Although the focus is on London we all know that a similar attack could come in any big town or city. There have been alerts and scares all over the country."

The impact of the London terror attacks on the tube have been dramatic with a 30 per cent drop in people using the underground system.

But fears have spread outside the capital. Asian News cricket columnist Akash Chopra has told of one fellow Asian professional cricketer being made to leave a North West train with his sports bag after travellers voiced concern.

Assist, a non-profit organisation, provide help to children and adults seen to be at risk. They run a computer safety campaign with Asda stores.

Their clear bag comes in four styles - a small back pack, a larger back pack, an over-the-shoulder messenger bag and a sports bag, priced from £19.99 to £29.99.

More details can be found on the website www.freedom-bags.com.