AN Asian woman had her face burned with a cigarette, in an unprovoked race attack. .

The victim was walking down St Mary's Way in Leigh with her teenage son, when six teenagers - three of them girls - approached them and began to insult them.

Police say the woman challenged the ringleader who responded by burning her lip with his cigarette. The group then continued to shout racist abuse until the woman walked away.

Police constable Nick Chisnall said: "This was a completely unprovoked and vicious attack on a woman and her son. These small minded people need to be held accountable for their actions and this kind of racist behaviour will not be tolerated, so if anyone has any information please get in touch."

The main offender was white, of slim build, with dark brown hair, and was wearing black sports clothing at the time. A second boy was white, of slim build with black hair, and he was wearing a black stripy top and dark-coloured trousers.

The girls are aged 17 to 18, and all were wearing casual clothing. Two had blonde hair and a third had red hair. There is no description of the sixth member of the group.

If anyone has any information about the attack which happened shortly before 3pm on Monday May 5, they are asked to contact police on 0161 856 7229 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.