POLICE have dismissed rumours that some East Lancashire garages have been refusing to serve customers on the grounds of their race.

As motorists queued for petrol, rumours alleging discrimination by Asian-owned garages against white motorists have been sweeping Blackburn, Hyndburn and Rossendale.

Inspector Stephen Lee of Blackburn police, said: "We have had a number of calls alleging that certain garages had signs outside saying they would only serve Asians.

"That is a very serious allegation to make and we have investigated it fully. There is no truth in the rumours whatsoever."