OWNERS of hostels for people with learning disabilities say local schoolchildren are harassing the people in their care.

Youngsters hurl abuse at the residents on an almost daily basis. Some have been attacked them with lighted cigarettes and fireworks, say the owners of the three private hostels in Bury.

Ms Helen Charlesworth, co-owner of the hostels, said: "I have walked into Bury with residents and heard children shouting names through the windows of the school bus.

"Some of our residents won't go out at certain times of the day now. They get called things like dumbo, idiot - and those are the polite names."

Walmersley Road resident Anthony Lewis (29) has had food thrown at him in the street and is often taunted by children coming home from school.

He said: "People try to scare me or wind me up. Sometimes I don't go out just to keep away from them. It makes me angry. I just want them to treat me with respect."

Another resident, 63-year-old Francis Ambrose, has also suffered abuse

"It's embarrassing walking down the street with someone calling you names," he said. "I wish they'd just leave me alone."

Ms Charlesworth added: "Can you imagine having to walk away from this kind of abuse every single day of your life. The families of those responsible should be made aware of how their children are behaving, and the schools should play their part.

"These people are no different from anyone else. At the end of the day the only thing they want is to be treated with respect."

Ms Charlesworth and her partner Mr David Mantle own three private residential homes in Walmersley Road and Wellington Road, which provide care and shelter for 18 to 65-year-olds with learning disabilities.

She said that gangs from different schools in the area are involved in the abuse.

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