A practising witch has hit back at critics of witchcraft, saying it is a force for good.

Sharon Cossins, a mum from the Little Horton area of Bradford, argues that witches are "totally misunderstood" because of years of prejudice.

The 31-year-old spoke out after the Telegraph & Argus reported last week that heads of dead animals were being found in Bradford graveyards as suspected witchdoctors preyed on people's fears by selling miracle cures and ritual offerings.

But Mrs Cossins said: "I found it was yet another offensive thing written about witchcraft which is something many people know very little about.

"We don't do the goat's head thing. It's totally against our beliefs. Witches are stereotyped.

"I'm sick and tired of witches being compared to Satanists. I'm not a Satanist and I do not wish any harm."

Mrs Cossins said witches used so-called Magick' to call upon the forces of nature to ask them to do good acts, such as healing poorly friends. She said: "What we practise is a force for good, so I feel frustrated every time I read something negative about it.

"If it was Christians or Muslims who were being talked about in these ways, there would be an outcry.

"I cringe when the word witch-hunt is used. People are so quick to judge things they don't understand. It comes through years of prejudice, misconceptions and fear."

Mrs Cossins, who is married with a two-year-old son, started studying Wicca, often described as a neopagan religion, a year ago.

She said: "I was feeling really down and had been suffering quite a bit of low self-esteem and a friend said read this book, called Witch Alone, and it made me feel better. The book is all about solitary witchcraft, which is what I do. Nobody else in my family is a witch.

"We have a ritual every full moon and it's up to you what you do. I send prayers up to the goddess and god. It's a good time to ask for something.

"We don't worship Satan. He is nothing to do with us whatsoever.

"I don't go round dressed as a witch and I have a normal job.

"I find that Wicca does not discriminate. It's a great religion for women and I feel very involved."

Mrs Cossins said her husband and family had been very understanding since she took up witchcraft.

She said: "I was a bit scared when I started studying it because I knew virtually nothing and was scared that bits of it might be evil, but that's not the case.

"I don't want to have to hide my beliefs and I want to be able to walk down the street like anyone else."

As well as being a practising witch and a mother, Mrs Cossins also finds time to learn Italian and belly dancing.

"I'm very busy," she said.

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk