A POSTMASTER has thanked the Bacup community who rallied round after racist graffiti was painted on the post office.

Police were alerted to damage caused to the listed building at around 9.15am on Saturday (April 16) at Bacup Post Office in Burnley Road.

It is believed the racist graffiti was painted at some time between 6pm on April 15 and 9am on April 16.

In an outpouring of support members of the public took to a Facebook to voice support for postmaster Zia Zaman and his staff.

Mr Zaman told of his shock when they spotted the words on Saturday.

He said: "When we came down on Saturday we just saw this graffiti on the wall. It had been done with white paint.

"It was hard to miss. The letters are quite big. It was a shock to see it.

"We have not seen anything like that before in the seven-and-a-half years we have been here.

"We have never had any hatred or racism.

"But the staff and the local community have been tremendous. I have had a lot of kind words from the public and concern in how sorry they were to see it."

Julie Ashworth Scott speaking on the Facebook group Bacup Past & Present, said: "I would just like to say that those who defaced the post office with that disgusting graffiti do not speak on behalf of me.

"I live in Accrington and think the diversity in this town is brilliant."

Lorraine Catlow said: "It's absolutely disgraceful and disrespectful to know that some mindless individuals could do such a thing. It's people like that who give Bacup a bad reputation.

"I can't speak for everyone but you have got lots of support."

And Violet Tyson Schofield said: "I have nothing but respect for everyone at the post office..and feel saddened by the horrible words on the wall outside."

The painted words are set to be cleaned off the building by the council later in the week, a Rossendale Council spokesman said.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called around 9.15am on Saturday, April 16, after reports of criminal damage in Burnley Road, Bacup.

"Offenders had painted words on the outside of a property.

"Officers believe the offence took place between 6pm on April 15 and 9am on April 16.

"Enquiries are continuing."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting crime reference EF1603721.