A SOUTH Essex woman was among Tube passengers who were handed offensive leaflets by a group claiming to “hate fat people”.

Kara Florish, from Benfleet, was travelling on the London Underground when she was handed a card from a group calling itself Overweight Haters Ltd.

Police have urged passengers to get in touch if they receive an offensive message.

Ms Florish posted an image online of the leaflet, which read: “"Our organisation hates and resents fat people.

“We object to the enormous amount of food resources you consume while half the world starves. We disapprove of your wasting NHS money to treat your selfish greed.

"And we do not understand why you fail to grasp that by eating less you will be better off, slimmer, happy and find a partner who is not a perverted chubby-lover, or even find a partner at all.

"We also object that the beatiful (sic) pig is used as an insult. You are not a pig. You are a fat, ugly human."

Ms Florish said: “I am not upset myself. I am smaller than the national average and not exactly obese, but this is hateful and cowardly and could potentially upset people struggling with confidence and eating disorders.”

Steve Burton, director of enforcement and on-street operations for Transport for London, said: "All of our customers have the right to travel with confidence, and this sad and unpleasant form of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

"If anyone is ever made to feel uncomfortable while travelling they should immediately report it to station staff or a police officer."

British Transport Police is urging anyone who has been handed a copy of the leaflet to call them on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016.