A MAN who was caught on camera urinating against a Cathedral has been condemned as 'totally disrespectful'.

On Friday at around 4pm, a man, thought to be in his early 20s, was spotted relieving himself against the side of Blackburn Cathedral.

A passer-by, who took the photos, said the man was with three others. The group was gathered in a doorway and appeared to be drinking alcohol.

The passer-by, who did not wish to be named, said: "As a Muslim man I think it is disgusting that this has happened on cathedral grounds.

"This group of friends were chatting in the doorway and then one went over and casually relieved himself on the wall of the cathedral.

"People were walking by and it was in the middle of the afternoon.

"The other three did not urinate anywhere.

"Before anyone says it was just an Asian man urinating there was one white man who was part of the group.

"We should have respect for all places of worship. What would happen if this was a mosque? There would be uproar.

"I don’t think that people realise that this is a place of worship too."

The Dean of Blackburn, the Very Reverend Peter Howell-Jones, said: "It's unfortunate that someone would do something like this.

"There are toilets in the cathedral and there are public toilets in the town centre.

"It's a shame that people don't seem to have the self-control or self-respect for public places."

Blackburn with Darwen councillor Suleman Khonat, who is also a sitting magistrate, called the actions 'disrespectful and out of order'.

He said: "That is out of order and totally disrespectful. It's a place of worship.

"There are enough public toilets in this town not to be using the side of the cathedral as a toilet.

"The man should be ashamed for what he has done.

"Hopefully this sends a message that, irrespective of what religion you are, this is no place to be doing that sort of thing."

Growth and regeneration boss at Blackburn with Darwen Council Cllr Phil Riley said: "It seems the kind of behaviour that really we could do without.

"It's desecrating a religious place and a very important building within Blackburn and its history."

By Amy Farnworth