Worshippers watched in horror as a lit firework was posted through a letterbox during a Hindu celebration, burning a woman's dress.

The attack happened on Saturday at the Shree UKRK Seva Samaj Hall, in Highfields, where dozens of people had gathered to mark the first night of the festival of Navratri.

As the evening drew to a close, the firework was pushed through a letterbox before it shot across the hall.

Eyewitnesses said sparks given off by the missile caught in the fabric of 55-year-old Laxmi Parmar's sari. Mrs Parmar, who attended the event with her husband Bhanu, 60, and sister-in-law Bharti, 52, did not suffer any injuries but was left "numb and in shock".

Community members said it was "pure luck" that the attack did not result in serious injury and claimed they were now fearful of further attacks.

The firework was one of a string of incidents that occurred at the hall in the days leading up to Navratri – a Hindu festival symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

Mrs Parmar, from Humberstone, Leicester, said she remembered seeing something bounce up from the carpet and head straight for her before it exploded just yards away.

She said: "I just went numb. I did not know what had happened. I thought it was a bomb because it made such a big bang.

"I was just in shock. I felt the heat against my leg but did not think anything of it until my husband pointed out the holes in my clothing."

The joint Secretary of the Shree UKRK Seva Samaj Society, Kantilal Solanki, 58, said: "Fortunately, no-one was injured but this was a very serious incident.

"Today it is an innocent missile, tomorrow it could be much worse – that is the fear that people have.

"No-one expects something like that to happen.

"There were elderly people and children in the hall. We have no idea why we were targeted."

The incident happened at around 9.45pm as around 60 worshippers in the Rowsley Street hall were preparing to leave.

A spokesman for Leicestershire Constabulary confirmed the attack and said inquiries into the incident were ongoing.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 0116 222 2222.