DON'T treat us like a freak show - that is the request from one man who faces frequent unwanted physical and verbal attention all because of his height.

Chris Amor, a University of Worcester student, has people pointing and laughing at him and shouting names in the street as well as filming and photographing him without his consent.

But rather than feel sorry for himself, the 26-year-old, who has dwarfism, wants people to understand that he and others with the condition are people and should be treated equally.

He believes the condition has meant he has had to face employment discrimination as well as coming up against prejudice when dating.

"My issue is I am obviously different looking to most people but that doesn't mean you should judge someone on their height alone.

"I feel like heightism needs to be recognised in the same way sexism and racism is recognised - a lot of these things are far more unacceptable in society.

"Daily, if I go out in public or work I will get whispering or staring - verbally people will shout the "M" word at me.

"I'll get unwanted physical touching.

"It's like I'm some kind of freak show and, obviously, I don't know what happens with those pictures, whether they're shared on social media.

"But I want to emphasise that people are people no matter what and no-one should be ashamed of their body.

"It's also not about shaming people but to make them more aware."

Restricted growth is believed to affect between 4,500 and 6,000 people in the UK with around 200 distinct medical conditions causing dwarfism.

Mr Amor, who is about four foot ten, was born with Jeune syndrome and lives at home in Hereford with his family during university holidays and will move to a house share in St John's, Worcester, in September.

The student, who is studying for a degree in animation, has a job in a bar in Worcester city centre and says he faces a lot of comments from people while working but fortunately has good support from management and fellow staff members.

"Sometimes it is like people see me as an entire different species instead of just another human being.

"Dwarfism doesn't make anyone less of a person, it shouldn't make them less employable or less attractive."

Feeling vulnerable at times, he experiences social isolation and believes that potential partners are put off immediately because of his height rather than getting to know his personality.

"You are attracted to who you are attracted to but I think some people are put off dating shorter men because there is this idea in society that men should be taller than the woman."

He is hoping that by speaking out people will think twice about the way they treat him and other people with the condition.

He also hopes that with more actors like Peter Dinklage, who plays Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones, appearing in blockbuster television shows it will help to change perceptions.

Mr Amor has started a blog to explain his experiences and spread awareness which can be found at christopheramorheightismexperience.blogspot.co.uk.