AN end to race-hate victim Mal Hussain's nightmare could be in sight following unprecedented publicity in the national media.

A pioneering scheme has been set up which aims to raise funds to buy Mal's Ryeland's shop so he can escape racial harassment on the estate.

And Lancashire Police have agreed an action plan to address his immediate needs and concerns.

The "Share in Anti-Racism" scheme would replace Mal and his business partner, Linda Livingstone with a manager who would run the store as a charity raising funds for anti-racist causes.

Mal's experiences have featured on the front page of the Guardian newspaper his friends and supporters are hoping the "buy out" scheme will put an end to his woes.

"I think the scheme is a viable option and will be successful because it's tangible and people will be able to see the benefits," said Kusminder Chahal of Lancaster.

"We will set up a limited company with charitable status that will seek donations from across the UK. We've received a lot of publicity nationally and I think it will attract a lot of support. Hopefully we could employ a local manager to run it and any profits would be ploughed back into helping victims of racial abuse."

Assistant Chief Constable of Lancashire, Tarique Ghaffur, has met with Mal and he said: "Mr Hussain outlined a variety of concerns and we agreed with him that there had been a break down in communications. I have appointed a senior officer from Lancaster to act as our link and he will make sure that Mr Hussain's immediate needs are addressed."

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