A MARKET stallholder today spoke of his amazement when police ordered him to rip down a poster featuring Osama bin Laden wearing a Father Christmas hat.

A member of the public complained to an officer about the poster, which was on display at Frank Littler's stall in Blackburn's indoor market on Saturday afternoon.

Today Blackburn with Darwen council leaders and the Lancashire Council of Mosques backed the police action, aimed at preventing a breach of the peace.

But Darwen Lib Dem councillor Paul Browne said: "The whole thing is barking mad. It is just a bit of light-hearted fun."

And neighbouring stallholder David Shawforth, who works at Pickup's butchers on the three-day market said: "I've known Frank for years. He's a really genuine bloke, and certainly not a racist."

Mr Littler said: "It was just a bit of fun to advertise our Christmas club. We didn't mean to upset people.

"We didn't think anyone would take it seriously. We didn't mean to insult anyone.

"I'm certainly not a racist -- it was just meant as a joke.

"I wouldn't want to do anything that would have repercussions on the business. But Bin Laden is public enemy number one and it was probably more of an insult to Father Christmas.

"It's a bit sad, really."

A police spokesperson said the officer asked Mr Littler and his staff to take the poster down and they complied. He said no further action would be taken.

Chief Inspector Neil Smith of Blackburn Police said if members of the public complain, the police have to act.

He said: "He probably did it as a bit of fun but if it causes offence and members of the public complain, we will respond to that. We asked him to take the poster down to prevent a breach of the peace."

Coun Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration for Blackburn with Darwen Council -- which includes the markets -- said the police were acting out of common sense.

He said: "I understand he was trying to inject a bit of humour into the current situation, but perhaps his sensitivity of it was not right.

"There is no council policy on these things but one has to think carefully about how one acts."

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Coun Bill Taylor said: "It seems a bit insensitive in the current climate. The police were right to ask him to remove the poster."

And Ibrahim Masters, chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, added: "Personally I would not have been offended but maybe some people will.