A CHIP shop boss has insisted he will not take a sign down which was branded racist, despite receiving threats.

Paul Bradbury and his wife Rachel took over the Chippy On The Green in Hapton Road, Padiham, less than a fortnight ago and hung a banner reading ‘Under new management with English owners’.

Mr Bradbury said he has received two threatening phone calls from people calling him racist.

He said: “One man called me and said he was going to pressure cooker bomb my shop. Another woman called and said she was going to put the windows through.

“The police said they can find out who it was but I don’t want to take it any further."

And he said business had increased since the Lancashire Telegraph revealed the story on Thursday.

He said: “I’ve received so much support from the local people. We’ve had lots of people come into the shop and say they don’t think the sign’s racist. Everyone’s really rallied around and it’s been lovely. We’re not racist. I apologise if it’s offended anyone, but it won’t be coming down.”

A spokesman for the police said: “Police officers from the Padiham neighbourhood team went to the shop after becoming aware of the threats. The owner told officers he did not want to pursue the matter and so we can’t take any further action.”

A Burnley council spokesman said: “There are allowances for shops to display signs on the front of a building. Burnley Council has no control over the content of a sign.”