A FAMILY of seven were burned out of their home during another night of racial violence across East Lancashire.

Police condemned the attack on the Asian family in Bold Street, Accrington, as an 'appalling incident' and appealed for help to catch the arsonists.

The arson was one of four incidents early today and came as bans on marches and large gatherings were due to be implemented across the area in a bid to stamp out trouble and following widespread rumours about right wing demonstrations.

A petrol bomb was thrown at the Asian-owned M&M greengrocer's in Briercliffe Road, Burnley, causing minor damage at 12.45am and two people have been arrested and are being questioned about petrol bomb attacks on two cars in Victoria Road and Milton Street, Padiham, between 1am and 2am.

But there were no reports of street violence or widespread disturbances following calls from calm from MPs, police and community leaders.

In the horror attack in Accrington the family were asleep upstairs in the former Iqbal's Newsagents shop at about 2.30am when the eldest child was woken by the smell of smoke.

He managed to wake the rest of the family, including a child aged seven, and called the emergency services.

Fire crews dealt with the blaze which police say was caused when someone forced the downstairs front window and threw in a burning substance.

The shop, which has not traded for about two years, was gutted by the fire and the family flat upstairs was severely smoke damaged. The family have been rehoused. Superintendent Dave Mallaby said: "This was an appalling incident where an entire family could have been killed. The whole community should unite in helping us identify the people responsible for putting children's lives at risk. No-one can condone this kind of crime."

The incident followed three separate petrol bomb attacks in Accrington on Thursday night.

Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary Pauline Clare has applied to Home Secretary David Blunkett for permission to impose bans in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Pendle with the backing of the local councils.

The first ban will cover demonstrations and marches for three days, up until Monday and is aimed at preventing potential unrest over the weekend.

The second will cover public assemblies and will last for three months, until the end of September.

The bans were due to be approved today and the move came a day after similar orders were introduced under the Public Order Act 1986 in Burnley.

Chief Supt John Thompson, commander of Eastern Division which covers Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, said: "Although there have not been any serious cases of disorder in these areas, we are keen to prevent any occurring.

"This step has been taken to demonstrate that community safety is our top priority and we ask that if anybody is asked to move on by police officers exercising these powers, they do so in a peaceful manner." Apart from town centre pubs some outlying pubs have boarded up their premises as a precaution against violence in Burnley.

A spokesman at the Brunshaw pub in Brunshaw Road said the decision had been taken as a precaution and in the interests of safety.

Police have set up a temporary canteen and holding area in Burnham Gate close to Junction 10 of the M65.

Officers also held talks with members of Accrington's Asian community at the Higher Antley Street Islamic Centre to discuss the events of Thursday night.

Police said it was "highly likely" that the petrol bomb attacks at Glynweb DIY store, in Oxford Street, Sacred Heart School, in Bradshaw Road and Central Cars Sale in Hyndburn Road, were connected.

General Secretary of Ghousia Mosque Munsif Dad said: "This meeting was organised to try and bring the police in to inform members of our mosque about what is happening. There are some silly rumours going round the town and there are no substance to any of these."

Munsif dismissed claims by Burnley's Deputy Mayor Coun Rafique Malik that the trouble could be linked to the desecration of Muslim graves in Accrington.