A Muslim man targeted by racists yobs fears he may be experiencing a backlash from recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London.

The tiny village of Flimby, near Maryport, has been shocked and outraged by the attack, which included an

attempt to burn down Fatih Gublesiren’s Flimby Pizza Shop and covered the front of the building with swastikas and messages saying “Death to Muslims”.

Mr Gublesiren said there was a family living in a flat above the shop at the time.

“If the arsonists had been successful, lives could have been lost,” he told the News & Star .

Mr Gublesiren is originally from Turkey but has been in this country for 20 years and has had the pizza shop for nine years.

“The people of the village have supported me. We have never had anything like this before,” he said.

While he fears the attack is a retaliation for the recent terror incidents, he insisted terrorism has nothing to do with Islam – or any other religion.

“Our Holy book says you must not hurt anyone,” he explained. “These people who do these thing do not understand.”

Mr Gublesiren said his wife is heavily pregnant and has been extremely upset by the events, but he has vowed to continue to do business in Flimby. “I have had people stopping today to tell me how sorry they are for what has happened.”

He also has the support of local councillors.

Carol Tindall said she was shocked.

“Eighteen months ago this village came together after the floods and now this,” she said. “It is shocking. There is absolutely no place for racism in this community.”

Councillor Peter Kendall described the attack as “disgusting”.

“This man runs a successful business, contributes to the community and pays taxes,” he said. “I am saddened, dismayed and totally disgusted. I hope the police find the perpetrator soon.”

Police have revealed that they are investigating two separate hate crimes which both occurred overnight on Tuesday in Flimby, but they do not believe they are connected.

The second relates to swastikas being sprayed onto the wall of a property on Brook Street.

It is believed to belong to a non-Muslim British man.

Police are appealing for help to trace the people responsible for the attacks.

Detective Chief Inspector Roy Ledingham said: “I am sure that the majority of the public will share our disappointment in such incidents happening in Cumbria.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 and ask to speak to an officer in West Cumbria CID, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.