The Board of Deputies has written to leaders of an Islamic centre gutted by fire in a suspected arson attack to express “solidarity and disgust”.

The Islamic Education Centre in Luton was targeted in the early hours of May 5. No one was hurt in the blaze.

It is thought the fire could have been started by far-right activists in revenge for the picketing of troops by Muslim extremists in the town in March.

Board chief executive Jon Benjamin wrote: “Those who have perpetrated this appalling crime will no doubt be hoping to underscore the division between ethnic and faith communities. They have failed. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you at this time.”