AN "ABHORRENT far-right group" has been condemned by Romsey Town Council after "racist" stickers were found plastered around town - as police investigate.

It is believed the stickers have come from the Hundred-Handers - an international nationalist group that shares anti-immigrant messages - after they were found on lamp posts in the Cupernham Lane and Fishlake Meadows areas of Romsey.

The alleged hate speech meant Hampshire police stepped up patrols in these areas and officers have been examining CCTV in a bid to catch the culprits.

Romsey Town Council (RTC) released a statement stressing the stickers are from a "very small minority of people" looking to "incite division".

The statement reads: "The town council wish to denounce the abhorrent far-right group that placed stickers around our town a few weeks ago.

"These stickers represented some very extreme views, views that do not in any way represent the values of our town.

"Romsey is a town that works to do the best by and for its people, regardless of creed or colour. It is a very small minority of people who wish to incite division.

"We know, as a town council that has worked with so many people across our town, that our differences only make this town better.

RTC added it reported the stickers to the police.

The force has already done house to house enquiries and delivered leaflets to residents as part of their efforts to put a stop to the reported hate crime.

This comes as three political parties released a joint message pledging this "scourge of racism" and discrimination will be stamped out in the community.

The message was penned by chairman of the Romsey and Southampton North Conservative Association, Nick Adams-King, chair of the Test Valley Borough Liberal Democrats, David Hall, and secretary of the Romsey and Southampton North Constituency Labour Party, Stuart Bannerman.

It reads: "We are united in our unequivocal condemnation of racism and discrimination in any form.

"We deplore the appearance in our town of racist stickers bearing the imprint of Hundred Handers, an international quasi-fascist organisation.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure that Romsey continues to develop as a welcoming, friendly and tolerant community, and that the scourge of racism is stamped out here."

A Romsey councillor also slammed the racist stickers, arguing the people behind them are "very shallow-minded".

Town and borough councillor Nik Daas said: "I have been, as a councillor and person of colour, treated absolutely equally nearly 100 per cent of my entire life, so it is very shallow-minded of these people to do this.

"It is a very small minority of people who do not represent Romsey and do not represent the obvious majority of people who want to get on with life and make our town a better community.

"Romsey is an open, tolerant community where we support one another, build each other up and break down these barriers."

A spokesperson from Hampshire police said: "Anyone with any information or concerns regarding these stickers is encouraged to make contact with the Test Valley Neighbourhood Policing team on 101."