A DISABLED man has been left living in fear after receiving an anonymous letter which threatens to expose him as a paedophile.

Alf Muir, 54, says he has been devastated by the hand-written letter which gives him two weeks to move out of his house before passing on alleged information about him to a national newspaper.

Mr Muir has vehemently denied any accusations of paedophilia and said he fears he has been made the victim of a sick practical joke or a case of mistaken identity.

Police today said that they were concerned about the letter and were investigating Mr Muir's complaint.

Mr Muir, of Abraham Street, Blackburn, said: "I am absolutely stunned by this. My wife only passed away recently and when I got this letter and opened it I thought 'I just do not believe this.' The letter hints I am a child molester, but I have never heard anything so ridiculous in my life. I have never even been accused of smacking a child, let alone something like this. Someone has got a pretty sick sense of humour."

The letter was hand-written and addressed to the male occupant of the house rather than Mr Muir by name. He has lived in the house since October. It is stamped with the South Lakes postmark on it which means it was posted in the East Lancashire area.

The letter reads: "You will be aware that the public have access to information to protect innocent children. As long as you continue to reside in this area it is in every mother's interest to be informed of the dangers children can be in.

"You have two weeks to consider your options before information is passed on to the News of the World and the resident's committee of this area.

"You can move house, but you can never escape the past or the truth. This letter is in no way threatening you but is giving you the chance to escape humiliation and embarrassment." Vice chairman of the local residents' association and friend of Mr Muir, Tommy Reeves, said: "These accusations are simply ridiculous. I don't know where these people are getting their information from, but it is absolutely not true."

Coun John Milburn, who represents the Ewood ward that includes Abraham Street, said: "I am very perturbed on Mr Muir's behalf that something like this should happen.

"I do not hold with anonymous letters which are typical of the gutless people that cannot put their behind their accusations. I would disassociate myself completely from anything of this nature."

Mr Muir, who is registered disabled with bone complaints, has taken the letter to the police who are investigating the incident.

They have promised to send an officer to the next residents' committee meeting to reassure residents.

Mr Muir admitted he was convicted thirty four years ago of aiding and abetting the murder of a shopkeeper and added: "I served my sentence for that many years ago and I have never hurt a child and would never do so."

A police spokesman today said: " We can confirm Mr Muir has reported the matter to police and it is being investigated as a genuine complaint."

DS Mark Gray said: "It is wholly unacceptable for people to take the law into their own hands. The public must rely on the local procedures in place for monitoring and managing such sex offenders in the community.

"It is clear that vigilante-type action taken against people mistakenly believed to be sex offenders can lead to catastrophic consequences for both the individual and their family members."