A RACIALLY-motivated attack in the New Forest has been described as "terrible and dreadful".

As reported in the Daily Echo earlier this week, Julian Kerr and his family returned to their home in Efford Way, Pennington on Sunday afternoon to discover the windows had been smashed in an act of violence.

The following day they found a note which read “N.F. get out our area”. This is believed to be a reference to the far-right group National Front.

Police are investigating the incident after initially failing to visit the family in the aftermath.

Pennington councillor Penny Jackman described the act as “terrible” and “dreadful”.

She added: “Everybody has a right to expect to live in their home without harassment, before even considering the racist aspect of it.

"I hope police are going to take it seriously. Pennington has got this unjust reputation for being rough and then suddenly you get one individual acting like this."

“I’m disgusted and whoever did this should be ashamed. There are lot of hard working people in the estate. There will be a lot of people feeling very upset about this.”

Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Hampshire Police on 101 quoting reference number 44180036703.