A MOTHER-of-two attacked her frightened stepmother in a Nelson park and verbally abused her, a court was told.

Anna Marie Gilbert, 31, was said to have "gone berserk", hit victim Monica Buhajewska, pulled off her sunglasses and stamped on them as their children played.

The defendant set about Miss Buhajewska, who is about the same age as her, over an old family fall-out, Burnley magistrates heard.

Gilbert, of North Street, Colne, admitted assault by beating and damage following the incident last September 23.

A trial over the facts will be held in April as the defendant claimed she did not punch or slap her victim.

Christiana Buchanan, prosecuting, told the court the victim was in Marsden Park with her four-year-old daughter and her mother when Gilbert, who she did not have a good relationship with, turned up, started swearing and being abusive and bringing up old arguments.

Mrs Buchanan said Gilbert refused to calm down and punched Miss Buhajewska in the right cheek, pulled off her sunglasses, threw them on the ground and stamped on them.

Gilbert then went back towards the victim who told her to stop or she would call the police.

Miss Buhajewska got her mobile phone from her handbag, the defendant tried to grab it and the victim hit Gilbert in self defence.

Mrs Buchanan said Miss Buhajewska was shocked and frightened and the defendant did not appear to want to stop, even though the victim was speaking to the police operator. Gilbert then called her children and ran off.

Lee Hammond, defending, said there was a history of bad blood between the two women, who were of similar age.