An Indian shop manager has told how he and his wife were viciously attacked by a gang of racist thugs – after asking them to stop throwing snowballs.

Ramanjit Fohi, 33, suffered a broken nose and cheekbone in the assault as they walked to buy milk in Ashford.

After challenging the gang of nine youngsters for throwing a snowball at his back, they became abusive - swearing at Mr Fohi and called him a "Paki".

Mr Fohi, pictured right, was beaten to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked. His 29-year-old wife was also attacked as she tried to protect him.

He said: "I feel very angry and helpless about what happened. It made me feel as if I don’t have the right to walk to the supermarket."

Mr Fohi and his wife were strolling to Tesco in Park Farm when they encountered the youths - believed to be aged between 16 and 19 - at 2.30pm on Sunday.

"i feel very angry and helpless about what happened..." – attack victim ramanjit fohi

"They clearly knew they were a majority and I was outnumbered," added Mr Fohi, who is 5ft 9ins and of slight build.

"They were pushing and kicking me and I got a very strong blow right onto my right cheek.

"It all happened for a minute or so and then they stopped."

Mr Fohi, who has lived in the UK for seven years, was bleeding heavily from his nose, and a parent who came over from the park told him he would need an ambulance.

He was taken to the William Harvey Hospital for treatment and X-rays showed his nose and right cheekbone were broken.

Ramanjit Fohi’s nose and cheekbone were broken in the attack at Park Farm

The gang ran away after the attack, but police later arrested four teenagers between the ages of 16 and 17 who have been released on bail.

They are urging any witnesses to the assault to come forward.

Anyone with information can phone Kent Police on 101, quoting incident number 20-973, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.