TWO young brothers now fear playing in the fields outside their Hereford home after being attacked for being black.

Harley and Justin Dilworth were enjoying a game of football with friends in Newton Farm when three teenagers approached and told them to ‘go back to their own country’.

Stones were thrown at the mixed-race siblings before Harley, who is 10, ran over to his house to call his mother.

Claire Dilworth immediately went to the skate park but, by the time she arrived, the youths had left the scene.

She said one of the stones struck Harley in the mouth, causing him to bleed. While stones had hit nine-year-old Justin in the chest. Last Thursday evening’s attack, she said, was carried out by two girls and one boy – believed to be aged 13 to 14.

“My boys were just enjoying some football with friends when these older children arrived and told them to go to a black country,” said Mrs Dilworth.

“Then they started throwing stones at them.”

The shocked mum said her sons, who were both born in Hereford and go to Lord Scudamore Academy, have never experienced racism before.

“My husband Kevin has approached the issue of race with them and told them that they might meet some silly people one day because their skin colour is different, but this has still come as a real shock to them,” said Mrs Dilworth.

“People need to be made aware that words really do hurt and that we need to educate children.

“With the summer holidays here, the boys really like going to the fields to play with their friends as they are so close to the house but they are worried – and I’m worried for them, too.

“But they should be allowed to go out and play and not fear being picked on because they are mixed-race.”

Despite the shocking experience, Mrs Dilworth has at least been comforted by the support of the community.

“I did not know what to expect but lots of people have been in touch to say things like this just have to be stamped out,” she added.

West Mercia Police is investigating the attack. To help officers, call 101.