A THREE-year-old boy was left screaming in agony after yobs threw a firework at him on Bonfire Night.

Little Kasim Mahmood suffered burns to his face and chest as he walked with his mum in Clifton Road, Walmersley, at 6.50pm on Friday.

The firework, thrown from a parked car, exploded at his feet.

Kasim needed treatment at Fairfield General Hospital and Booth Hall Childrens Hospital.

Specialists say the burns are unlikely to leave any long-term scarring.

Police are now hunting two men who were seen in a white car, possibly a Mazda, shortly before the attack.

Kasim was walking with his mum, Mrs Marya Khatoon, on the way to his grandparents house in Clifton Street, when the firework was thrown. "I cannot understand why anyone would do this," said Mrs Khatoon.

"Can people not walk along the street without being attacked? We have no enemies. Why us?"

Mrs Khatoon, who lives in the same street as her parents, told how she remembered walking past the white car and seeing one of the two occupants holding what she thought was a cigarette.

She said: "I saw whatever he was holding burst into flames. I realised it wasnt a cigarette but did not even consider it was a firework. I saw them throw it at us and I ducked. It went over me and blew up, burning Kasim.

"He was screaming in agony. I got him to hospital and we went to Booth Hall where doctors said his injuries would heal."

She added: "I dont believe what happened was racially motivated. I think it was just two thugs being irresponsible with fireworks."

Detectives in Bury are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the white car parked in Clifton Street, at its junction with Walmersley Road, at around the time of the attack. A spokesman for Bury police said: "The family have obviously been left very shocked by this incident but luckily Kasim wasn't seriously injured.

"The consequences of this incident could have been much worse.

"All we know at the moment is that the car was white and it had retracting headlights.

"We would ask anyone who can help us find those responsible to get in touch as soon as possible."

Bury CID can be contacted on 0161 856 8150 or witnesses can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.