A COMMUNITY leader today urged Asian people across East Lancashire not to panic over threats of a neo-Nazi terror campaign.

Rafique Malik, secretary of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said ethnic minority groups had been sickened by the two London nail bomb attacks.

The bombings have caused Lancashire Police to step up patrols in Asian areas including Blackburn, Pendle and Burnley after fears that far right extremists could strike outside the capital.

Special Branch officers are also studying letters sent to prominent black politicians by an organisation called the White Wolves - a copy of which was received by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph two days before the Brixton bombing.

But Mr Malik, who is also a Burnley councillor, said despite widespread anger and disgust over the London bombings, local people should not panic. He said: "The people I have spoken to - and some have lived here in Burnley for more than 30 years - know that his sort of activity goes on from time to time and that there is nothing gained by becoming unnecessarily neurotic.

"It is wise not to fan the flames of hatred in this situation.

"The people responsible for these attacks are probably a group of two and three and they do not represent British society.

"The Asian community in East Lancashire was appalled by the bombings in Brixton and Brick Lane, but they should not panic."

Police countered the threat of a nationwide terror campaign by launching an anti-racism drive to try to reassure the public and deter terrorists.

Leaflets are also being posted at key locations across the county warning people to be on their guard and officers were focusing their attention on mosques and community centres.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.