"Horrid" and "racist" stickers plastered around Romsey have prompted three political parties to condemn the culprits, as police investigate.

It is believed the stickers have come from the Hundred-Handers - an international nationalist group that shares anti-immigrant messages - after they were found on lamp posts in the Cupernham Lane and Fishlake Meadows areas of Romsey.

The alleged hate speech has meant Hampshire police has stepped up patrols in these areas and officers have been examining CCTV in a bid to catch the culprits.

Three political parties have now released a joint message pledging this "scourge of racism" and discrimination will be stamped out in the community.

The message has been penned by chairman of the Romsey and Southampton North Conservative Association, Nick Adams-King, chair of the Test Valley Borough Liberal Democrats, David Hall, and secretary of the Romsey and Southampton North Constituency Labour Party, Stuart Bannerman.

It reads: "We are united in our unequivocal condemnation of racism and discrimination in any form.

"We deplore the appearance in our town of racist stickers bearing the imprint of Hundred Handers, an international quasi-fascist organisation.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure that Romsey continues to develop as a welcoming, friendly and tolerant community, and that the scourge of racism is stamped out here."

Other Romsey councillors have also slammed the racist stickers, with one arguing the people behind them are "very shallow-minded".

Town and borough councillor Nik Daas said: "I have been, as a councillor and person of colour, treated absolutely equally nearly 100 per cent of my entire life, so it is very shallow-minded of these people to do this.

"It is a very small minority of people who do not represent Romsey and do not represent the obvious majority of people who want to get on with life and make our town a better community.

"Romsey is an open, tolerant community where we support one another, build each other up and break down these barriers."

Town and borough councillor Dorothy Baverstock heavily criticised the group's behaviour and called for unity.

She said: "I think the whole thing is very horrid, particularly when there are such horrible things going on in the rest of the world.

"Whatever way you look at it, there is always somewhere a bit more deprived with people wanting to get out of the country.

"Whether it is political or not, there are all sorts of reasons for this and I feel that no gate should be closed to people where they are not happy in their country."

A spokesperson from Hampshire police said officers have also been doing house to house enquiries and delivering leaflets to residents as part of their efforts to put a stop to the reported hate crime.

They said: "Anyone with any information or concerns regarding these stickers is encouraged to make contact with the Test Valley Neighbourhood Policing team on 101."