POLICE are investigating a hate crime after a mother was subject to racist abuse in Prestwich by a man who told her to “go home”.

Arry Nessa was with her son Kalib when she was confronted on Bury New Road as she took him to school eight days after the EU Referendum.

In a Facebook post she explained that the man used obscene language, including the use of a racist word towards her, before adding, “I voted for you to leave so what are you doing here?”

She says she told him she was not afraid of him, but as he went to push and shove her, he also threw a punch towards her son before he walked away.

Ms Nessa said she and her son were uninjured, but the incident left her shaken.

She said: "I can see on my son's face, he was still wondering why anyone would do such a thing, what he had done wrong.

"I gave my son a hug and told him it was ok and that it was a mean man with nothing better to do than upset people. We cannot let him ruin our happiness."

She added: "Did the man not understand that I am British and this is my country? Why was he so angry? Nothing I would have said would change his mind.

"I would love to say that something like this will not happen again unfortunately it will. Things will get worse before they get better.

"But remember the vast majority of people are good, they will not stand by and watch this country be dragged down by the ignorance that is on the rise."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that it was being treated as a hate crime and they are still looking for a man who is described as white, aged between 18 to 25, with short blonde hair and blue eyes.

He was wearing black and grey tracksuit bottoms and a black jacket with brown boots and carrying a black bag.

Any information should be reported to the police on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.