The judge who passed "severe" jail terms on young Asian rioters failed to take account of the origins of disturbance, the Court of Appeal has heard.

On Wednesday defence lawyer Michael Mansfield QC opened a series of appeals by more than a dozen men convicted after the Bradford riots in July 2001.

Supporters outside the court claimed the terms of up to eight years were disproportionate to those handed to white people who were also jailed.

Mr Mansfield said the trial judge should not have ignored the "matrix of fear" which descended on the Asian community when faced with an "alien political force" in the form of the National Front.

Manifestly excessive

The riots caused in excess of �20m of damage, sparked by a planned march by the extreme right wing group in the city.

Although prison terms were inevitable, the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Gullick, passed sentences which were "manifestly excessive", said Mr Mansfield.

Families of the jailed men were joined outside the court by representatives from the National Assembly Against Racism and civil rights campaigners joined the protest.

The men's families claim the jail terms they received were "excessive" and "unjust", reflecting institutional racism in the criminal justice system.

Fair Justice

Saarah Ali, the mother of Shazab Ali, one of the rioters jailed for four years, said: "We know the violence wasn't justified.

"We don't want riots. All we are asking for is for proportional sentencing."

Fair Justice for All campaigners carried banners saying: "Fair justice means equal sentences".

The jailed youths were among around 290 people arrested after what has been considered among the worst disturbances ever seen on mainland Britain in recent years.

The families warn the men will leave prison embittered by the experience, exacerbating already strained relations in Bradford.

Home Secretary David Blunkett and the police have criticised the campaign.

Last year Mr Blunkett said the rioters were "maniacs" who were "whining" about the sentences they had been given.