A WAR veteran has been targeted by vandals for displaying a Union Jack outside his home in East Barnet.

Human excrement was smeared across the front door and walls of 87-year-old Fred Penning's house, Crescent Rise, in a "despicable" attack on Thursday night.

A 15ft pole was also destroyed, as the offenders ripped down and stole a British flag from the front garden of the pensioner's bungalow.

Mr Penning, who served in Burma during the Second World War, said: “I think they are cowards to do that in the middle of the night. They've got no guts.

“I wish I had caught them, I would have had a face-to-face and find out why they did this.”

The elderly widower described how he opened his front door on Friday morning to retrieve his newspaper and was presented with a “dinner plate worth” of faeces on his doorstep.

Mr Penning fears the culprits may have used his Union Jack to clean their hands after smearing mess on his home.

The grandfather added: “I'm quite disgusted. Everyone is entitled to their flag for whichever country or religion they belong to.”

The Paddington-born pensioner has proudly displayed his flag for more than four years in his quiet cul-de-sac, where neighbours of many faiths and backgrounds live.

He believes the culprits did not specifically target him, but rather the symbol of the Union Jack.

An alleyway at the end of the street, which pedestrians use to avoid a main road, may have led the offenders to pass his house.

Mr Penning said he would defy the vandals by erecting a new flag pole.

Police are now appealing for information and witnesses to the incident.

PC Paul Gifford from the East Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "This is a despicable thing to do to anyone, especially when all they are doing is showing some national pride.

"This gentleman has fought for the freedom of this country and to be repaid in this way is simply incredible, and we will do our best to find and bring to justice those who have committed this disgusting act."

Anybody with any information should contact police on 0300 123 12 12 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference number 2403654/11.