A group of Asian women living close to Bradford's riot scenes say they are deeply ashamed of the young men involved in last weekend's violent clashes.

The women, who live in Heaton, say their children are too scared to go outside for fear of being attacked.

They want the young Asians involved in the riots to stand up and apologise, and to stop and think about the effects of their actions.

Yasmin Malik, 32, said the image of Bradford had been severely dented by the violence.

"They have disfigured Bradford by burning down properties, some which were our pride - like the BMW showroom in Oak Lane," she said.

"They have injured so many police officers who were there to help them.

"We are disgusted and ashamed by them and hope they will come forward and apologise for what they did.

"They have drummed fear into the whole of the city - not just Asian families - and as women we hope we can do something to make them stop and think."

The women are also asking the Asian men to show regard for the principles laid down by Islam.

"They should be showing respect for their religion and therefore showing respect for others," said Mrs Malik.

She said her four children, aged five to 14, were afraid to play outside and go to school.

"They think they're going to be attacked or that our house will be smashed in," she said. "Children shouldn't have to grow up in an atmosphere like this. They are living in fear."

Tazim Hussain said young Asian men didn't realise how lucky they were to live in Bradford.

"My husband is from Pakistan and he says it's paradise here," said the 26-year-old. "Our grandparents and parents came to England to give us a better future.

"They have worked for up to 24 hours a day in factories, foundries and mills and are now suffering from severe illnesses such as deafness, chronic chest diseases, skin and eye disorders only because they were thinking of their future. They didn't sacrifice their health for these men to destroy their lifetime achievement."

The mother-of-three said she was normally very independent but now had to ask her husband to escort her to the shops.

"They've turned all of our lives upside down, given our community a bad name, and now we are appealing to them as mothers," she said.

"Asian men listen to their mothers. We want them to listen to us and put an end to this pathetic criminal behaviour."