Police were called to investigate vile and threatening racial abuse directed at a Cumbrian health clinician involved in controversial NHS reforms.

Dr Ajith Wijesiriwardana became the victim of online trolls, who turned a debate over the future of health services at north Cumbria's hospitals into an excuse to hurl "abhorrent" racist abuse.

It came following a comment made by the clinical director for obstetrics and gynaecology, who insisted women and babies will not be put at risk by plans to downgrade services in the west - insisting Whitehaven to Carlisle is "not that far".

He was speaking as the Success Regime launched its consultation into healthcare services, including the potential loss of 24-hour consultant-led maternity services at the West Cumberland Hospital.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria police has now confirmed it received reports of a racial hate incident relating to Dr Wijesiriwardana.

"The allegation relates to a social media post made around the potential closure of maternity services at West Cumberland Hospital," she said.

"Police have investigated the allegation and there is no further action to be taken."

The abuse has sparked outrage, uniting campaigners and senior health officials in their condemnation of the race hate as they insist it has no part in their discussions.

The consultation's Stakeholder Advisory Group - chaired by the Venerable Richard Pratt, Archdeacon of West Cumberland, and Sue Stevenson, chief operations officer at Healthwatch Cumbria - was so offended by the abuse, it felt moved to pass a motion against racism.

Drafted by Mr Pratt, it recognises that while "feelings run strongly" about the issues being consulted on, it is important everyone "listens well and speaks wisely" in the best interests of the area.

Speaking to the News & Star, Mr Pratt said: "We were so very disturbed by the very unpleasant racist comments made online.

"They were very upsetting for the person against whom they were made and were very threatening.

"They are really not the way to conduct this discussion."

Also moved to action was John Holland, from the Friends of Brampton Hospital, who wrote to the Success Regime on behalf of the Friends' to add their support to Dr Wijesiriwardana.

"It was a very silly thing for the clinician to have said," Mr Holland explained, "but whatever you thought of that as a comment, to make racial slurs against the man is totally unacceptable.

"I don't see any problem in questioning his judgement in making a comment like that, but the man's ethnic background is absolutely irrelevant.

"It was absolutely not right and if you don't say anything about a thing like this, then it can become acceptable.

"I absolutely abhor and condemn all hate crime."

Stephen Eames, chief executive at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, added: “I absolutely believe that freedom of expression should be fully encouraged during public consultation but we must all collectively take a zero tolerance approach to any abuse directed at a member of NHS staff, it is completely unacceptable.

"We very much welcome the supportive action taken by the Stakeholder Advisory Group.”

A number of the county's MPs are also said to have given their backing to the motion, in a united front against racism.