A member of the Nigerian royal family who works for Christian Aid in Belfast has said he has been forced out of his home after a series of racist attacks.

Femi Olayisade who lives in the village area of south Belfast, said his windows were smashed three times in the last four weeks.

He said had to move out because he could not risk putting his family through any more attacks.

"I've never had any quarrel with anybody around here," he said.

"People just want to make life uncomfortable for me because I'm black.

"I've been able to stomach it but when it comes to touching my children, and the attacks are becoming more violent, I think it's time for me to move out."

Attacks increase

A report earlier this year said harassment was experienced by all minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland - with the highest number of incidents in south and north Belfast.

The report was commissioned by the equality and social need division of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

It analysed more than 350 incidents reported to the police between 1996 and 1999 - a 400% increase.

They included attacks on property and people, as well as threats and graffiti.

Racist assaults on children soared from 8.5% of total attacks in 1996 to more than 16% in 1999.

The report authors said the rise in reported incidents was due to an increased number, a greater willingness of people to report incidents and a greater awareness by the police of the need to record racist incidents