A FAMILY today revealed how a ten-year campaign of racism had forced them out of

Burnley.

Rajesh Patel said he and his wife were so sick of the abuse they had

suffered that they were selling up and moving to the West Midlands.

Mr Patel, 45, of Printers Fold,

Lowerhouse, said his family had been subjected to racist abuse, including smashed windows, people banging on the door and racist taunts.

Burnley Council leader Coun Stuart Caddy and police confirmed they were aware of the problems and

officers said they were trying to trace the people responsible.

And the man behind the Burnley race riots report, Lord Tony Clarke, called for more to be done to stamp out racism in the town.

Mr Patel claimed the hate campaign has led to his wife, Vina, 42, suffering from depression and his children, Krupa, 17, and Kieran, 14, doing poorly at school.

Mr Patel, who took a job working for Dudley social services when the abuse became too much, said: "We are of Indian origin and since we moved into our house in November 1992, have been the victims of racial abuse. Earlier this month our front room window was smashed. Prior to that, we had people knocking on our door as late as 12.30 at night and shouting racial abuse.

"Our front door window was smashed recently and that really was the final straw.

"The abuse has really been ongoing since we moved in and we have finally come to the conclusion that this is not a safe place to live. The children haven't even been able to play outside because we have been afraid for their safety.

"There can't be any other reason for what has been happening, other than a purely racial one.

"It is such a shame because we moved here because we liked the area and the scenery, but we have been left with no choice.

"My wife has been suffering from depression for the last ten years and this has caused lot of distress and stress to us as a family. My children have been suffering distress and lack of concentration in studies, which has resulted in poor school results.

"It seems the racists have succeeded in driving out yet another law abiding Asian family from the area."

Rajesh, an interpreter and a former governor of Ivy Bank school, is now in the process of selling his house.

Lord Clarke, who led the Task Force which followed the 2001 riots, said: "I feel very sorry that anybody, whatever their racial origin, should be intimidated to the point where they have to give up their home.

"It is very sad and shows we have a long way to go to overcome the inbuilt racism within many people in the country.

"I would hope the authorities would re-double their efforts to ensure this sort of thing does not happen to anybody else."

Council leader and Rosegrove with Lowerhouse councillor Stuart Caddy said: "I am aware that Mr Patel has been suffering some racial problems over the last few years. This sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the borough.

"Some problems still exist in the town, as in other places, and we are doing all we can do eradicate them."

A police spokesman said: "We are aware that Mr Patel has had racial problems over the years and we have investigated those and tried to address some of his concerns. We are actively trying to trace those responsible for the incidents."