A father-to-be was kicked, stamped and beaten in front of his pregnant girlfriend in what he says was a vicious racist attack.

Mick Stevens, 29, suffered swelling and bruising, and was subjected to repeated racial taunts in the unprovoked assault.

Mick, and his girlfriend Rebecca Ruding, 19, were on their way home after shopping when the attack happened at traffic lights in Fenby Avenue, East Bowling, Bradford.

Mick, of East Bowling, said: "I was crossing the road with Rebecca's cousin at the pelican crossing when a dark blue Ford Focus began revving its engine and inching towards us.

"We got to the pavement and the driver got out. He pulled me back and another lad got out of the car and started hitting me and stamping on my head. They were calling us white b******s.'"

"They looked like they were on drugs and threatened to kill us. We didn't do anything to provoke them. We were just on our way home with bags of shopping. We have never had trouble like this before."

Rebecca, who is due to give birth to their first child in August, said she was following Mick and her cousin, Jonathan Buttle, when she saw the attack.

"My cousin tried to protect him and they began stamping on his head as well. They were making racist comments," said Rebecca, the niece of Bradford councillor John Ruding. "I ran over to tell them to get off and they tried to hit me. One of them had his arm up to me.

"The attack lasted about five minutes. Other motorists were there but nobody came to help.

"We had never seen these guys before. They were revving the car at them when they were crossing the road. My boyfriend asked them what they were doing. They got out of the car, spat in his face and dragged him to the ground."

The couple contacted police immediately after the attack, which happened just before 8pm on Wednesday.

Rebecca said two of the attackers were well-built and the third was skinny. One was wearing a blue and yellow striped Firetrap top and blue and white Nike trainers.

She said: "Mick did not go to hospital but he had lumps on the back of his head and temple, and bruising. I was so concerned about him I wouldn't let him go to sleep. My cousin also suffered bad migraines after the attack.

"The attackers were looking for trouble and were very racist. A lot of people are carrying out attacks from cars and too many are getting away with it."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said they had searched the area for the vehicle involved and were making inquiries with local shops to see if the incident had been captured on CCTV.

He urged any witnesses to contact Bradford South Police on (01274) 376459.

e-mail: steve.wright @bradford.newsquest.co.uk