A MUM has told how a campaign of hate from a racist gang turned their dream move near the countryside into hell.

Lancashire police's hate crime unit has launched an investigation after yobs targeted disabled widow Janet Stead, from Clayton Street, Nelson, and her two children Sharlene, 16, and Nathan, 14.

They moved to the town from the south Manchester suburb of Chorlton to be nearer to the countryside.

But since they arrived in May, teenagers, possibly from the same local gang, have made their lives a misery and afraid to leave their home.

Ms Stead said the family were trying to get the money together to move away from the area at the earliest opportunity.

Community leaders have condemned as "disgusting" the abuse which has included:

l On the day they moved in Sharlene had vulgar sexual comments shouted at her by a gang
l As they walked home from the shops, a group of 12 teenagers throw stones at them, made monkey impressions and shouted other vile abuse.
l Everyday the family say they face threats of violence or racial abuse from the gang such as comments saying 'they do not belong around here' and were not welcome.

Mrs Stead said: "In Manchester I rented a house but wanted to move to the countryside because I thought it would be a nicer environment.

"I was told it would be racially harmonious. Then I realised we had come to hell.

"A week after we moved in we realised we'd made a big mistake.

"It feels like there are no blacks allowed around here.

"I don't work as I am disabled. If I did I would able to afford to move out sooner."

Ms Stead, who has restricted mobility following a heart attack, said life had become "unbearable".

She said: "Only last week we had a group of Asian men stood outside the house who followed us towards Morrisons shouting and screaming at us, saying we are not welcome in the area.

"On the first day we moved in Sharlene was outside the house when a group of Asian lads pulled up in a car and shouting things of a sexual nature at her.

"Since then it has continued daily with cars being parked outside the house, following us when we leave the house and even attempted to break into the house on two occasions.

"We have even spent £100 on new locks and keep knives hidden around the house in case someone breaks in.

"We now only leave the house when we can see the street is clear.

"But I have to use a walking stick to get around so it is even more terrifying as I can't escape them easily.

"The worst incident we had was when we were walking back from Morrisons, a few weeks after we moved in and we were followed, had stones thrown at us while a large group of teenagers mocked us, doing monkey impressions and saying vile things to my daughter.

"Sharlene is suffering from panic attacks and Nathan is a nervous wreck"

The family are desperate to move back to Devon where they lived previously, and have been saving up to be able to pay for the move.

Horsfield ward councillor Ann Kerrigan said what was happened was "totally unacceptable".

She said: "Nobody should have to suffer this sort of abuse.

"It is disgusting and just shows a total lack of respect for humanity. I absolutely condemn this."

Council Leader, Alan Davies added: "Pendle has relatively good race relations which we have achieved by talking about things as and when they happen.

"I have not heard of any incidents such as this in quite a long time."

Detective Inspector Simon Cheyte said:"We are investigating two incidents reported to us from the family from May and July.

"Our officers are doing all we can to improve the quality of life for the family and have an appointment to talk to the family about all the incidents."