Bombers don’t scare us, says defiant mum

A SADDLEWORTH mother who has a luxury home on a holiday island rocked by bombers, talked today of British determination to stand firm against the threat.

Niki Littlewood, from Dobcross, lives near Majorca’s capital, Palma, where three bombs went off yesterday.

The mother of three said defiantly: “People living here are affronted these attacks have come to the island. They see the problems centred on the Spanish mainland and have nothing to do with the islands.

“British people have had put up with years of terrorism at home and we are made of sturdy stuff. We are adopting a stiff upper lip approach.”

She was speaking in the wake of bombs — two in restaurants and one in a Palma square — which exploded yesterday. There were no reports on any injuries.

Niki added: “We have spoken to English friends who were at one of the restaurants which was evacuated. Warnings had been given and there was no hysteria. People were quite relaxed.”

The explosions, described as small, followed a phone warning made in the name of Basque separatist group ETA, a Spanish newspaper website reported.

The devices exploded at La Rigoletta and Enco restaurants at around 11.30 am local time. Both restaurants and one other bar were evacuated before the explosions.

Juan Carlos, the Spanish king, is holidaying on the island — a family tradition — during August.

And recently, superstar Michael Douglas and his wife, Catherine Zeta Jones, announced they were planning to spend more time with their family at their home on Majorca where they have lived for more than 10 years.

Niki added: “It’s been a bit of a shock for restaurateurs but everyone is getting on with their lives.”

Last month, an ETA car bomb in Majorca killed two officers of Spain’s civil guard.

The separatists are blamed for more than 800 deaths over the past 50 years during their campaign for an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and southern France.

A major manhunt, involving more than 1,500 members of the island’s security forces, has been launched following the blasts.