An investigation is underway after a drunken man subjected a mother and her nine-year-old daughter to a “torrent of racial abuse”.

The mother and her daughter had been walking home from Avondale Primary School last Friday and were going through the grounds of Darwen Methodist Church when the man launched into a stream of “unprovoked” abuse.

Police have today appealed for witnesses who may have overheard what happened to come forward.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “On Friday, April 22, at approximately 3.30pm, a woman has been walking through the grounds of Darwen Methodist Church with her nine year old daughter.

“This church is on the corner of Bright Street and Blackburn Road in Darwen.

“Whilst walking through the grounds the female and her young daughter have been subjected to a torrent of racial abuse from a drunken male.

“This abuse has been unprovoked and directed at a young child who was innocently walking home from Avondale Primary School.”

The spokesperson added: “Lancashire Constabulary will not tolerate behaviour of this type and will prosecute offenders where there is evidence to do so.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any other information can email 8217@lancashire.police.uk or phone 101 quoting log reference LC-20220422-0843.