POLICE are launching a high profile anti-racism operation amid fears that neo-Nazi terrorists could strike in East Lancashire.

The nail bombings in London have sparked off fears that local Asian communities, including in Burnley and Pendle, could be the next targets of the right wing extremists.

A letter sent by right wing group the White Wolves was received by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph two weeks ago and police are warning the Asian community to be on is guard. Police patrols will be stepped up in towns across the county and officers will be concentrating on mosques and community centres.

Superintendent Clive Helliwell said: "There have been no specific threats made to any specific targets in Lancashire.

"But we are obviously alive to the fact about what has happened in London over the last week and the fact that letters from a self-styled racist group have been received by evening papers.

"We will close be taking a close look at areas with large ethnic minority populations in areas like Blackburn and Burnley.

"The force will act accordingly to reassure local communities that everything possible will be done to ensure their safety. This operation is just one part of a plan and there are other measures which will be carried out in a bid to minimise risks throughout the county."

He said police had not received any copies of letters from the White Wolves but inquiries were continuing into the group's activities.

A series of leaflets and posters warning of the dangers is also being posted at key locations across Lancashire.

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