VANDALS tried to burn down a former chapel near Truro which

is expected to be turned into an Asian community centre.

The arson attack is the latest in a string of criminal

damage incidents at Quenchwell Chapel at Carnon Downs.

Police said it caused a small amount of damage to building

materials inside some time on Saturday night. A window was also

smashed, but no further details are being released at this

time. This came only three days after a banner was hung over

the A39 nearby, with the words 'No Mosques Wanted Here' written

on it.

Police removed the bed sheet from an overpass after a

motorist tipped them off at about 7.20am on Thursday.

It has since been handed to scenes of crime officers for

forensic examination in a bid to find clues as to who hung it

during the previous night.

As previously reported, the building has been repeatedly

daubed with racist graffiti and even had a pig's head nailed to

the door since plans first emerged for the conversion two

months ago.

Restaurateur Tipu Chowdhury hopes to transform the building

into a community hub for Asian families to hold celebrations,

community events and religious functions.

Mr Choudhury, head of the group of businessman of different

faiths which has bought the chapel, said: “I can categorically

say this will not be a mosque. It's a community centre to be

run by ethnic minorities in Cornwall.

“People who are putting posters up or graffiti about mosques

are misinformed.

“This will be similar to other village halls but rather than

renting them for cultural occasions as we do now we would have

access whenever we want.”

Mr Choudhury, a Muslim originally from Bangladesh who has

lived in England for more than two decades, has been trying to

set up an Asian community centre in Cornwall for many

years.

People living nearby, the police and council members and

leaders have condemned the attacks, which now number about a

half dozen.

Information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111,

quoting log 393 130708.