A POISON pen letter has sparked anger and sadness in Honley.

The letter makes racist comments about a teacher at Honley C of E Infants and Nursery School.

The teacher is a Muslim and the letter writer - claiming to represent an anonymous group of parents - says she is not suitable to be employed at a Christian school.

But the letter has brought a strong response from school and education officials, who have praised the teacher and the ethos of the school.

The writer says parents of children at the School Street school have said they are unhappy with a Muslim teacher being at a Christian school "in the current climate".

The teacher has been at the school for 12 months.

The letter - sent to Kirklees Council and the chairman of the school's governors, the Rev David Barnes, this week - says: "It is a Church of England school and we would like it to remain so.

"We think the Christian religion should be taught primarily and though we agree there are other religions, eg Roman Catholic, Jewish etc, the presence of a Muslim teacher wearing the scarf is having an effect on what is taught.

"We would like Christmas to be celebrated at the school this Christmas and not downgraded to a winter festival. We should be very pleased if you could take these matters up on our behalf."

Mr Barnes, who is Vicar at St Mary's Church in Honley, said of the letter: "I was shocked and appalled. I couldn't believe someone would say something like this. Some things in the letter are laughable."

He said there had never been any racial incidents at the school.

He went on: "Some of the things in the letter just aren't true, particularly about the winter festival.

"Last year the teacher in question, who is a good teacher, helped with Christmas celebrations and had no problem with that.

"When it comes to Honley there aren't many ethnic minorities and the teacher is a great resource."

Headteacher Christine Lancaster said: "The staff and governors are very saddened by the views in the letter.

"We are always happy to talk to parents about their concerns.

"It is a shame it's come to this. But this does not represent the views of the vast majority of people in this area."

Gavin Tonkin, director of lifelong learning at Kirklees Council, said the council did not respond to anonymous complaints.

He added: "The council's long-term strategy is to have a more diverse workforce which mirrors the diverse communities in the area."