NICOLE Ivanoff (Your Letters, Sept 7) writes that the recent race riots in the poorer parts of our region were clearly provoked by fascists outside looking for trouble.

As I recall the troubles began after Asian youths in one town reportedly declared it a "no go" area for whites, and a pensioner was badly beaten for going into the area. And just two weeks I heard that a large number of Asian youths pursued a white couple into a pub in Oldham and proceeded to stone the building.

I do not really see this as the defence of their communities.

J. LORD,

Walmersley, Bury.