VANDALS have scrawled racist graffiti on a community sports hall which is due to be leased to a Muslim group.

VANDALS have scrawled racist graffiti on a community sports hall which is due to be leased to a Muslim group.

The slogan Muslim People Suck was daubed on the side of Woodfarm Sports Hall in Thornliebank, which is to be converted into an after-school education centre.

The council-owned venue had been previously leased to the care charity Quarriers but has been empty since last summer.

It's emerged the Woodfarm Education Trust, a group backed by Muslim business leaders and professionals, is now in advance talks over a long-term lease.

The new facility would host language and maths classes, social events and be open to the entire community, regardless of race or religion.

Local East Renfrewshire councillor Alan Lafferty said: "This graffiti is clearly the work of some misguided local person as no-one outwith the community was likely to have known about the plans.

"I am calling on the local community to join me in condemning this criminal action and to let the police know who did it.

"Otherwise, it is a stain on the reputation of the entire area."

Council leader Jim Fletcher said: "This is a facility for local people and we were approached by local Muslims living in Thornliebank, Orchard Park and Giffnock.

"The terms of the lease are very specific and the Woodfarm Education Trust is equally clear the facility will be open to the whole community to play its part in further promoting the good community relations which we already enjoy in East Renfrewshire."

Chief Inspector Kenny Graham, deputy divisional officer for East Renfrewshire, said: "I condemn this act utterly. We pride ourselves on our excellent community relations and will not tolerate behaviour of this kind."

Residents living near the centre, who are objecting against the lease proposals on road safety grounds, also condemned the vandalism.

Neighbour Sharon Kenny said: "The graffiti is downright wrong. There is a great deal of concern locally but that's purely because Woodfarm has far too many educational facilities.

"The traffic is a nightmare and the centre will only add to the congestion and parking problems."

Mohammed Rashid, 52, a resident who is part of the five-man Woodfarm Education Trust, said: "We want to offer something positive in the area for young people.

"Instead of having them run round the streets, or sitting in front of a computer, they can attend after-school classes.

"The vast majority of classes will be held between 5pm and 7pm. The main hall will be available to all members of the public."