RHOSLLANERCHRUGOG residents were left horrified after racist and homophobic graffiti was daubed around the village.

Shocked villagers awoke to find a series of offensive slogans sprayed on homes and cars, urging people to support the far-right National Front (NF) party.

A white woman living with her black boyfriend was targeted by the racist vandals, with green paint splashed across her garden walls and a painted arrow pointing to her front door.

A gay couple also found the slogan 'Vote NF' smeared across their cars.

The car park of the Hafod Colliery Social Centre was also attacked, with yellow-painted slogans such as 'Vote NF', 'Keep Rhos White' and 'Rhos Homes For Rhos People'.

Police now say the victims have 'grave concerns' the graffiti was more than youths fooling around due to the fact the culprits knew exactly which houses and cars to target.

Former councillor David Foulds found the bonnet of both his and his partner's car covered with 'Vote NF' slogans.

He said: 'I've been targeted because I'm gay. I thought this was a sleepy area and since living here I've found it very welcoming. There's a lot of gay couples around the area.

'My partner's car and mine were parked at opposite ends of the street, so they knew exactly which ones they were looking for.

'I think they are cowards, doing this under the cover of darkness. I've got two children with special needs and now I'm in a gay partnership. I'm quite happy to talk to these people and discuss these things face-to-face.

'The girl around the corner is very shaken up about what's been painted on her home.'

Residents are now trying to come to terms with the incident, and many have expressed disbelief at the racially-motivated attacks.

The number of non-white villagers is thought to be in single figures and no asylum seekers have been sent to Rhos.

Hilary Jones was on her way to the social club's over-60s meeting when she saw the graffiti, and said: 'I've never been so disgusted in my life. I really don't think whoever did this is from around this area.

'I've lived in Rhos all my life and I have never seen anything like this. We don't want the National Front in Rhos. We remember the war too well.'

Stephen Manger, 36, added: 'Rhos has the same sort of problems all small villages have - too much traffic and pollution - but we never expected this. We thought we had avoided the racial troubles that hit Caia Park.

'It's disgraceful behaviour and it's sad to think there are such arrogant, ignorant and racist people living in Rhos.'

Police are now conducting house-to-house enquiries as well as examining CCTV footage.

DCI Dave Loftus said: 'North Wales Police will not tolerate such racial behaviour and are conducting extensive enquiries to trace the person, or persons responsible.' Anyone with information should contact PC Alex Goss at Rhos police station on 0845 6071002 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.