THE racist right-wing group said to be behind the two London nail bomb attacks is believed to have a cell operating in Preston.

The White Wolves, a splinter group of the infamous racist Combat 18 thug organisation, have boasted on a video that they don't just operate in the capital, where they are believed to have planted two separate nail bombs in the heart of multi-racial communities.

According to the group's leader Del O'Conner, seen chatting freely on a video promoting the group, the White Wolves - named after Hitler's Nazi terror organisation the Werewolves - also have cells operating in several Northern towns, including Preston, which currently has little racial tension.

The group's claim comes just days after the local media received stencilled letters which spoke of their determination to exterminate all Jews and non-whites - and claimed it was responsible for the two London bombings which have injured dozens of people.

Lancashire Police has confirmed that local Special Branch Officers were aware of a group called the White Wolves, but refused to comment on the matter further.

However, police have launched a high-profile security operation in response to the recent bombings, confirming fears that multi-cultural towns like Preston could become a target for the White Wolves' racial vendetta.

Supt Clive Helliwell, head of Lancashire Police's operations, said officers had been warned to be more vigilant, adding that leaflets and posters written in a range of ethnic languages were currently being distributed in the area.

He said: "The force will act accordingly to re-assure local communities that everything possible will be done to ensure their safety."

In particular Supt Helliwell asked for postmen, milkmen, garage forecourt staff and CCTV operators to keep their eyes open for 'anything unusual or suspicious'.

But despite the threat Asian leaders say they are not particularly concerned by what has happened.

Preston councillor Yakub Patel, who is also a member of the Preston Muslim Society, said: "This town is one of the best for good racial relationships.

"We are aware of the incidents in the South but we hope a combination of extra police vigilance and our good relations with other members of the community will ensure nothing happens here."

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