AN Asian woman and her three children were subjected to a tirade of vile racist abuse as they enjoyed a Saturday afternoon fun day in Blackburn town centre.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Bilkis Valli and her youngsters were reduced to tears by the verbal onslaught, first by Cheryl Leach and then by her boyfriend Lee Craig.

The court was told that Leach came within inches of Miss Valli's face and said she should "go back where she belonged." Craig also went right up to the complainants face before shouting 'Zieg heil' and making a Nazi-style salute more than 15 times.

Craig, 34, of Woodvale, Darwen, pleaded guilty to using racially aggravated threatening behaviour. Leach, 25, of the same address, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated insulting words or behaviour.

They were both remanded on bail until November 13 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports. Paul Hodgkinson, prosecuting, said Miss Valli had attended the town centre fun day with her three children, aged four, seven and nine. They were enjoying the children's attractions outside BHS when she noticed Leach staring at her.

Mr Hodgkinson said: "At that point Leach started shouting racist abuse and made her way over until she was just inches from her face and the abuse continued. This was a deplorable, unprovoked attack and Miss Valli was fearful for her safety due to the aggressive manner of Leach. She was also fearful for her children as Leach continued this tirade of racist abuse.

"The children were upset and crying, as was Miss Valli. Even as he was being arrested and led away he continued to shout 'zieg heil.'"

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said both defendants accepted their part in a "very unsavoury and regrettable" incident. "They both express their shame and embarrassment at the way things unfolded," said Mr Blacklidge.

He said Craig had won some money on the horses the previous day and as a result he and Leach had been drinking heavily. He said after coming into Blackburn they and two other men had bought bottles of wine from Morrisons and later a bottle of whisky. He added: "His first wife was a lady of mixed race and he has two children by her. He has two sisters who are both with men of West Indian origin.

"His whole family is of a mixed and cosmopolitan nature, making the offence even more inexplicable."