But just hours before Sabu Abraham and Siji Kurian were finally made British citizens, stone throwing vandals ruined their happy preparations.

As the young couple prepared for the Preston Town Hall ceremony yobs smashed their front window.

The couple, who believe the vandalism was racially motivated, claim it was the latest in a string of incidents including a bacon sandwich, eggs and flour being thrown at their home, racist taunts, and even dogs being encouraged to foul in their garden. He has also been subjected to racial abuse during some of the attacks.

Father-of-two Sabu, 37, moved to Preston from his home in India six years ago and rented a house on Knowles Street in Fishwick.

He and Siji, 35, a nurse at a Fulwood nursing home, bought their home on Manor House Lane in Holme Slack two years ago and live there with their two young children Solomon, five, and Esther, three.

Sabu, a support worker for Lancashire Care Trust, says in the first week they moved in bacon sandwiches were thrown at their house. It is strictly against the Muslim religion to touch or eat pork - but ironically the couple are Christians.

Since then they have been subjected to racist taunts from passers by and had eggs thrown at their property and front garden.

He says: "I think they are doing it because of the colour of my skin. There is no other reason. I never even look at anyone now because I know what they could do.

"We tried to sell our house just a few weeks after we moved in but we haven't been able to afford to.

"The first time, when they threw the bacon, we think it was adults. But since then children have been involved too.
"We don't understand it because aren't Muslims, we are Christian.
He added: "The day after the window was broken was supposed to be a celebration because we had been made British citizens. We were so happy and so proud to be citizens of Preston but this made us very sad."

The first ceremony for immigrants granted British citizenship took place in 2004. New citizens swear allegiance to the Queen, sing the national anthem and pledge to respect the UK's rights and freedoms.
Mr Abraham added: "The room in the Town Hall was decorated and they put on lovely food and drinks but we couldn't help thinking about it.
"Preston made us very welcome when we moved here and we think it is down to just a few ignorant people."

Nafysa Patel, from Preston and Western Lancashire Racial Equality Council, said: "No one should be subjected to racism and be made to feel scared of staying indoors or venturing out of the front door. This is no way for anyone to live. Preston is a diverse and tolerant city which has enjoyed good community relations for many years.

"Mindless individuals, however, take it upon themselves to spoil this by exhibiting racist behaviour to anyone who is different to them. Organisations like ours and the police take racist crime very seriously and I urge anyone who is affected by racism to call the police or our helpline 0808 8087398 for assistance. It's extremely important that people report these incidents instead of suffering in silence."

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "This incident was reported to police but we received no allegations to suggest it was a racist incident so has not been treated as such.
"We are also aware of an incident in March 2009 where it was reported someone had thrown three eggs at the house – again there was no suggestion of a racist motive."

Police were asked to elaborate on how they had concluded that the crimes were not racist.
Anyone with information should call police on 01772 203203 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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