A MOTHER who had her face burned with a cigarette in a racists attack has spoken out over the years of torment she has suffered in her own community.

Souad, who wishes only to be known by her first name, moved to Leigh, near Wigan, from Tunisia ten years ago.

But in the past decade she and her son have been the victims of numerous racist attacks.

She even had a dog set upon herin her own home when the England football team lost a crunch match.

The most recent attack came as Souad, 47, walked along St Mary's Way, in Leigh, with her schoolboy son, when a group of six youths began hurling racial abuse.

One spat in her face while another burned his cigarette on her lip and made sexual threats.

"Strange"

She said: "The boys and girls were walking and said `look who's there', like someone strange was walking in the street.

"They said `you Paki, what are you doing here?'

"One boy spat in my face. I kept telling him I was not Pakistani but he burnt my lip and spat all over me.

"They took my shopping and threw it on the floor."

Souad said one of the youths broke away from the group in disgust.

She said: "I believe it's mostly because of ignorance that people do this type of thing.

"I'm still very upset with what happened. Every time I remember it makes me cry."

The incident is just one example of the racial torment Souad has been subjected to.

On one occasion, a youth broke a window in her home and emptied human faeces into her kitchen.

Souad also told how when England lost their Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia neighbours barged into her home and set a dog on her, blaming her for the defeat.

Beaten up

In another incident in 2001, her son was beaten up and pushed down stairs at school in another racially-motivated attack.

He now has childhood development disorder, Heller's Syndrome, and has lost his memory and speech which Souad believes is a result of the abuse.

Souad said: "I am British but I have no rights.

"I have lost everything my child, my job, everything. It has destroyed my family.

"I am tired and exhausted. I have had enough."

The main offender in the attack on St Mary's Way was slim with dark brown hair. He was wearing black sports clothes.

Another boy was slim with black hair. He was wearing a black stripy top and dark trousers.

The girls were 17 to 18 years old. Two had blonde hair while the other had red hair.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 7229 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.