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A muslim woman racially abused by a yob who demanded she “get off” a Metro today thanked the Geordie heroes who rallied to her rescue.

Ruhi Rehman, 23, was left terrified when the thug told other passengers she could “bomb the train” as she sat quietly with her sister.

But fellow travellers, disgusted by the man’s behaviour, rushed to Ruhi’s rescue, demanding he leave her alone before forcing him off the Metro.

As he left the train in shame, other passengers cheered and clapped.

Ruhi, of Newcastle, today thanked those who helped saying: “It was the true Geordie spirit that shone through. They were my angels that day and I can’t thank them enough.”

Ruhi and her sister had been travelling between Newcastle and Whitley Bay when they were approached by the man on the busy train.

“He shouted “get up out of that seat” at me,” said Ruhi.

“I was shocked at first because I didn’t really know what was happening.

“He was then saying stuff like ‘this is my country’ and my sister told him we were born here and it was our country too.

“It was then the other passengers started getting involved, telling him to leave us alone. Then he said to them ‘what, do you want her to bomb this train?’.”

Disgusted by his comments, a group of men demanded the man leave the Metro at the next station, telling him he was not welcome.

Ruhi said: “There was no violence or anything, they just made it clear he had to leave.”

When the man got off the train at Palmersville Metro, the carriage erupted into applause.

“I’d never seen anything like it,” said Ruhi. “I have never felt more proud of being a Geordie. It was lovely that everyone came together to help us and I can’t thank them all enough.

“It made me feel really optimistic and hopeful.”

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Ruhi has now reported the attack to police.

She added: “After what happened in Paris I have felt a bit paranoid. But why should we? Just because of a few extremist people.”

Katrina Barber, 41, was sitting opposite Ruhi, who was wearing a burka, on the Metro.

Katrina, who got on the train at Haymarket after watching Newcastle play Leicester City at St James’ Park, said: “They were a lovely couple of girls. We were talking about the weather being cold before this man came up and started shouting at them for no reason.

“He was quite intimidating and was screaming in a really violent way. A lady and her daughter moved out of the way because they were so scared.

“But other people just jumped to her defence and, in the end, everyone came together and made it clear we would not stand for this type of behaviour.

“I was so moved by what happened, I gave the girls a hug as I got off the Metro.”

Police today said they were investigating the incident which happened last Saturday.

Ruhi’s story has also had a strong reaction on social media from people praising the actions of the passengers.

Sharon Kelly, managing director at DB Regio Tyne and Wear, which operates the Metro on behalf of Nexus, said: “We urge anyone with information about this incident to contact the police.

“The safety of our passengers is paramount. I can assure customers that incidents of this nature are rare on Metro and they will not be tolerated.

“A police investigation into this matter is now underway and we will work with them to help trace those responsible.”

Metro Inspector Ian King said: “We have received a report of an alleged racist incident happening on a Metro train at around 4:45pm on Saturday, November 21. Northumbria Police take a hard stance against any form of attack on any minority group or individual and officers will be investigating this report. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference number 191 23/11/15.”