'Stand up to hate' after Muslim graves vandalised - vicar

Father Alex Frost says he was horrified at the attack

A vicar has called on people "of all faiths - and none" to pull together to combat hate after gravestones in the Muslim section of a cemetery were defaced.

About six graves were splashed with grey paint at Burnley Cemetery on Monday, an act police say they are treating as a hate crime.

Father Alex Frost of St Matthew’s Church in Burnley, said he was "horrified" at the "unnecessary hurtful vandalism".

He said: "People of all faiths - and none - have got a responsibility to stand up and speak out and be a voice for good."

About six graves were splashed with grey paint at Burnley Cemetery

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I was so upset. I was choked up, I couldn't believe that would happen."

He said Burnley was a "fabulous town" with a "high level of community cohesion" and believed the perpetrator had "got an agenda".

"People will try and destroy that but I think people of all faiths - and none - have got a responsibility to stand up and speak out and be a voice for good," he said.

Burnley Council leader Afrasiab Anwar described the attack as "evil"

Burnley Council leader, Afrasiab Anwar, described the act as "evil" and suggested it was intended to "provoke racial tensions".

He praised volunteers who went to the graveyard on Monday and tried to repair the damage to the gravestones.

"A group of young volunteers from the Muslim community had turned up and taken it upon themselves to show what Burnley is really about - communities pulling together," he said.

"We are not going to let something like this affect our relationships in the town."

A specialist memorial mason is due to clean the gravestones.