A BURNLEY greengrocer whose shop was targeted in a petrol bomb attack says he believes the incident was racially motivated but not personal.

Maqsood Ahmad, known to local people as Max, said: "It was probably just people who have got taken along by the recent situation in Burnley and have taken advantage.

"I have been here for nearly 20 years without any problems. I do not believe it to be personal."

Mr Ahmad, who lives above the shop in Briercliffe Road, spoke of his horror and fears for his family when he saw flames in the shop in the early hours of Saturday morning.

No-one was hurt but said Mr Ahmad: "It was very frightening and had it happened five minutes later when everyone might have been asleep it could have ended very differently."

The attack came at about 12.30am.

Mr Ahmad had fallen asleep in a back room while watching television. His wife, Rehana, three children aged 19, 10 and five, and his 70-year-old mother-in-law were in bed upstairs. He said: "My wife and elder son Mohammed Usman heard the smash of breaking glass when something was thrown through one of the shop windows.

"Then they threw a petrol bomb inside."

Max and his son got fire extinguishers to tackle the blaze. Mr Ahmad said flames were several feet high and there was smoke.

The fire was out when the fire and rescue service arrived a short time later.

Little damage was caused and later in the morning Mr Ahmad re-opened his shop, a general store and greengrocer's which is also noted in the area for an extensive range of garden plants.

Mr Ahmad said neighbours had reported seeing four white men outside the shop at about the time of the fire.

He hoped everyone would stay calm and that things would soon get back to normal.

Police and council bosses secured a three month ban on marches through Burnley in the wake of the riots after Home Secretary David Blunkett approved their application.