MOUNTED police officers were today called in to patrol the streets and watch over Bolton's mosques.

The extra police measures come three days after a home-made bomb blew out windows at a local mosque as six people, including children, prayed inside.

And police chiefs today vowed to monitor the situation across Bolton on a "day-to-day" basis. Police have received reports of suspected race-hate attacks across the region.

Chf Insp Alan Greene, from Bolton Central Station, revealed: "Extra mounted police officers will be patrolling the streets surrounding the mosques. It is part of our campaign to protect and reassure the public of Bolton that they can go about their business safely.

"Across the country there have been some small incidents involving attacks on people. We have a policy on hate crime where we investigate all the crimes thoroughly and monitor them."

On Monday evening a crude bomb left in a plastic bag exploded, outside the Alavia mosque in Bromwich Street, Bolton. The bomb sparked a small blaze which damaged windows and doors as worshippers inside ran for cover.

Police have confirmed they are treating the incident as arson.

Detectives are still investigating assisted by forensic scientists who are examining fragments of the device found at the scene.

Police chiefs and community leaders have appealed for calm in the aftermath of reported incidents in a bid to maintain good relations between communities.

Chf Insp Greene added: "There does not seem to be an increase in such attacks in Bolton but we are watching this situation carefully and on a daily basis."