CHILDREN are being blamed for scrawling anti-semitic graffiti on the door of a Prestwich synagogue.

A swastika, the words "Hitler rules" and "Jewish b . . . . . . s", together with juvenile drawings and catch-phrases, had been written on the door in white pen. The graffiti was discovered at the United Synagogue in Meade Hill Road.

Mr Sidney Huller, the president of the synagogue who is pictured at the synagogue, found the graffiti.

He said: "I think this is the work of children. It is offensive but, in a world that is so violent, it does seem rather trivial. It has been scrubbed off the door."

Detective Sergeant Duncan Heywood of Bury's operational police unit said: "We are treating this as a serious racial incident."

Anyone with information should call Whitefield CID on 856 8248.