A Chinese takeaway targeted by vandals has thanked a kind-hearted window cleaner who helped remove graffiti - including symbols resembling the St George's cross - from its frontage.
Messages including "go home" and "England" were spray-painted onto the shutters of the Dragon House in York last week, together with a 'racist slur', prompting a police investigation.
The word "Chinese" on the business's sign was meanwhile crossed out with red paint.
The graffiti - which also included the words "cat" and "dog" - was dubbed racist by police.
Local window cleaner Isaac Davidson, of Crystal Clean Windows York, is a regular customer at the takeaway.
When the 31-year-old saw the "disgusting" graffiti, he offered to clear it free of charge at the end of his workday.
Mr Davidson told GB News: "I was at work on my dinner break and the owner was there with the police.
"I went over and she was so upset, saying she has been here for over 20 years and had the takeaway for over 10 years, and it was just heartbreaking to see.
"I told her that I would go to work and finish my shift, and come back and get it off."
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Isaac Davidson has been a customer at Dragon House takeaway for a number of years
|ISAAC DAVIDSON
Mr Davidson, who has been working for the window cleaning business for just three months, spent around 45 minutes clearing the paint.
"I thought it was absolutely disgusting, there is no other way to put it really," he told the People's Channel.
"I just couldn't believe it really. I did not think that anyone would do anything like that."
The Dragon House owner posted photos of the graffiti to social media and said she felt "truly heartbroken".
The post read: "We work hard every day to serve our customers with love and dedication.
"I believe our community is stronger than hate, and I hope everyone will stand together against this kind of behaviour."
She went on to say a "huge thank you" to Mr Davidson, adding that the takeaway staff were "touched by his kindness".
Hundreds of customers responded to the post, with many saying they were "sorry" for what had happened.
The words 'go home' were spray-painted on the side of the takeaway
|FACEBOOK/DRAGON HOUSE
One person wrote: "As a family, we are saddened this has happened to you. You've been our go-to for the past 10 years and hopefully many more, all are welcome in York."
"This is horrendous. I'm so sorry this has happened - it definitely doesn't represent the views of most people, another social media user said.
"I've used your takeaway for 10 years and have nothing but good things to say."
The business owner said she had been "moved to tears" by the support of the community.
It took the window cleaner around 45 minutes to remove the paint from the front of the business
|ISAAC DAVIDSON
Police believe three people are behind the vandalism, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, August 29.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "A criminal investigation is underway following a report of racist graffiti which was discovered at a local takeaway on Foxwood Lane in York.
"We believe that the incident occurred on Friday, August 29, between 1.05am and 1.15am as CCTV shows three people graffitiing the front of the takeaway.
"Our officers are actively developing intelligence and lines of enquiry to identify the suspects and ensure they face appropriate consequences for the crimes that have been committed."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.