THE law of the land could change forever if Lancaster shop keeper Mal Hussain wins his case against the council later this month. Mal won his first case against the council for not protecting him properly against what he claims were violent attacks last year. But the council appealed against the decision. The appeal will be heard at the High Court in London on March 24, 25 and 26. "Provided the council's case appeal is lost this will leave the way open for the substantive case to be heard," said a spokesman for the Friends of Mal Hussain group.

"This case is extremely important."

Meanwhile Mal has gained national support for his campaign against racism.

The National Assembly Against Racism will organise a lobby of the court and the TUC is also supporting the campaign. And the area's top groups are banding together for a special benefit gig at the Yorkshire House, Lancaster on Saturday, March 28.

Mal became emotional when he talked of his plight: "I have been told that I'm brave, that I'm a hero for all the things I've done. But let me tell you I'm not. When you have been abused by women and children. When you have been firebombed you don't feel brave.

"I only go out to the cash and carry and to walk my dogs. And even then I have to check as much as I can.

"People have said to me that this isn't racist, that I've brought it on myself. But as I always say, and any businessman will tell you, people buy from people they like. I've had customers coming here for six years. How can this be anything other than racism.

But Mal has been amazed by the worldwide support he has received.

He said: "The 'Neighbours From Hell" documentary that I was in went around the world. I've had letters people coming from places like Australia, Austria, America, New Zealand. One guy came in, he'd come back from America, and said he couldn't believe what he had seen."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.