POLICE investigating a racially motivated attack in Burnley say the Asian victim was kicked repeatedly by a gang of white men while he was on the floor and unable to defend himself.

Shamraz Hussain, 25, of Stoneyholme, was one of thousands of people at the Bands in the Park event at Queen's Park, Burnley, on Sunday, when he was chased into the road and savagely attacked.

The man leading the inquiries, Det Insp Tony Bolton, said: "It was a nasty and vicious attack on a man unable to defend himself. He was kicked repeatedly while on the floor."

Mr Hussain was admitted to Burnley General Hospital where he was detained, suffering from severe bruising to his face, head and body.

Police are appealing for witnesses to incidents in the park and in Queen Victoria Road.

DI Bolton said: "At about 6pm a different Asian male was attacked by a group of white men in what was a racially motivated attack.

"He was punched and kicked while on the floor but saved from more serious injury by three white women in their thirties." The brave women acted as a shield, putting themselves between the attackers and the victim.

DI Bolton said: 'We would very much like to speak to those women and I am asking them to get in touch with us."

About 20 minutes after that incident a group of five Asian men including Mr Hussain were attacked by a large gang of white men in their 20s and 30s.

"These were not youths but adults,"" said DI Bolton.

The Asian men were chased into Queen Victoria Road.

Mr Hussain was caught near the bus stop where the road meets Eastern Avenue.

DI Bolton said: "He was seriously assaulted and punched and kicked by 12 to 15 white men who continued kicking him while he was on the floor."

Two cars were involved in a minor collision at the scene. One was a red Vauxhall Nova and the other a blue Ford Escort Cabriolet.

The Escort lost its front bumper as it crashed into the back on the Nova.

Both cars contained a number of passengers and police are anxious to hear from them as witnesses to the incident or from anyone who knows the whereabouts of the vehicles

Police are not linking the incident to the recent racially motivated disturbances in the town.

DI Bolton said: "We are running it as a separate inquiry to the recent troubles." Anyone with information can contact Burnley CID on 01282 472144 or ring Crimestoppers free and in confidence on 0800 555111.