Racist letters sent to churches

A number of churches daubed with racist graffiti and swastikas in Lancashire also received offensive letters. The graffiti was painted on the Baptist Church, St Peter's and St Paul's Church and The Methodist Church in Rishton near Blackburn.

Lancashire Police said two garages, a fish and chip shop and a library were also vandalised. The force said it was treating the incidents extremely seriously and investigations were ongoing. Insp John O'Reilley, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: "Some written material has been posted through some of the addresses. It is consistent with the type of language and graffiti written on the outside of the premises so we are following that through as well."

BBC