BLACK theatre performers who claim they were spat at by racists said last night that a North-East city was "as prejudiced as Apartheid-era South Africa".

The cast of African dance spectacular Umoja said the only time they had suffered racial abuse on their entire world tour was during a visit to Sunderland.

All 48 are virtual prisoners in their Sunderland University accommodation, because they say they are too frightened to go out and socialise.

Many of them wanted to cancel appearances at the town's Empire Theatre, and while they have reluctantly agreed to go on with the show, performances are the only time they leave their digs.

Several of the performers are former South African street children, who have been given hope of a better life with the production, The Spirit of Togetherness.

But co-producer Sheila Okonji said the youngsters have been severely shocked by their reception in Sunderland.

Ms Okonji went with the troupe to promote the show around the city wearing colourful tribal costumes, but as soon as they got out of their tour bus, the taunts started.

She said: "We were just trying to hand out leaflets and some of these guys started spitting at us. We went to another area and one of the people we met told us to get out.

"They said we weren't welcome. They started to call us names."

The performers were relieved to get a more welcoming reception on stage, where their production was given a standing ovation.