POLICE appealed for calm last night amid fears of growing racial tension after an asylum seeker was fatally stabbed in daylight in a North-East street.

Payman Bahmani, 28, was knifed outside his Sunderland home in Peel Street, Hendon, at 3.20pm on Wednesday, during a confrontation between a group of Iranian men and white youths.

He died later in Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Police said the attack was "racially motivated" and fear it could spark off wider violence.

Yesterday, tensions in the area, which has a large Asian community, were starting to rise. Police had to disperse an angry crowd outside the Gill Bridge police station in the city centre.

Last night, Mr Bahmani's partner, Sonia Voza, 50, said he was murdered just hours before the pair were due to leave the city.

"We were due to go to Brighton to start a new life and open a restaurant today," she said.

"He was a lovely man. He wouldn't hurt anyone. They need to catch these racist thugs."

White residents in Peel Street were shocked by the killing, but those from ethnic minorities said it was the tragic culmination of a long-running hate campaign.

Jespinder Dillon, of the Mowbray Food Store, in Peel Street, said Mr Bahmani ran a gauntlet of abuse every time he stepped outside his front door.

"He used to run up to my shop to get something and run back to try and avoid being attacked," he said.

Daoud Zaaroura, head of the North of England Refugee Service, said Peel Street had become a flashpoint for racial tensions.

"There are right-wing groups trying to show that Sunderland is not a suitable place for asylum seekers and there is evidence to show that they have huge support in the community," he said.

Mr Bahmani arrived in Sunderland two years ago, having fled from the Sherez region of Iran in fear of his life. He had worked as a restaurant manager at the Leonardo's Italian restaurant, owned by his girlfriend.

Last night, Northumbria Police were keen to ease the community's fears after the murder, which follows two serious attacks on asylum seekers in the city in recent months.

Supt Paul Weir said officers were working to tackle racist incidents. "We would appeal for people in the area to remain calm to allow police to investigate this incident without any distraction," he said.

Last night, two men and a woman were helping police. Police urge anyone with any information to contact 0191-563 6180.