AN ISLAMIC centre in Clitheroe has been attacked by racists for the fifth time in just three years.

Thugs kicked in a window at the Medina Islamic Education Centre, Holden Street, at the weekend.

Muslim community leaders are now warning that it's only a matter of time before someone using the centre, which has been involved in a long-running planning row, could be hurt.

Police chiefs confirmed they are now investigating a fifth racially motivated attack. Officers say the centre is the target of more racist attacks than any other in the Ribble Valley.

Plans to turn the centre into a mosque have been repeatedly turned down by planners following complaints from residents. Ribble Valley Council has now identified another site for a mosque in Kirkmoor Road.

Since 2001, the centre has been attacked five times, each incident involving one of the windows smashed during the night.

In this latest incident the main window at the front of the building was smashed at around 1am on Saturday. It wasn't reported to the police until a youngster wanting to use the centre spotted the damage that afternoon.

Sheraz Arshad, secretary at the centre, said: "The biggest concern is for the children who attend the centre.

"This is the fifth time it's happened in the last three years and this time a child discovered the damage. What would have happened if he had been inside at the time? Next time someone could get injured or worse."

This latest attack follows hate mail being delivered to a number of Asian businesses across East Lancashire last month. Police and the Lancashire Council of Mosques condemned the racist letters.

Chief superintendent Dave Mallaby said: "I am aware of the attacks and we are working closely with the occupier to address these infrequent incidents.

"It is disturbing when they take place and we are pursuing those responsible vigorously. This building has been the target of more racist attacks than any other in the Ribble Valley."

A meeting of Ribble Valley Council's policy and finance committee last month deferred plans for a mosque in Kirkmoor Road, Clitheroe, until November 16.