AN Ambleside pharmacy has been vandalised with anti-vaccine messages.

The Thomas Bell Pharmacy, a family-owned business of long standing in the community, was left with messages written in yellow paint on its windows and walls last night.

Messages included 500 Deaths, Yellow Card, and NO with an arrow pointing at a sign for vaccines, among other things.

The pharmacy has been visited by anti-vaccine activists on two separate occasions, including where a woman accused the employees of crimes against humanity.

The pharmacy owners, Ravi and Halima Voruganti, have responded to the incident and said they will not let those responsible get the better of them.

"We are absolutely gutted. It is very upsetting that we have been targeted.

“We have had so many messages of support from the community and other businesses.

“Whoever did this will not get the better of us.

“We understand that there are different opinions on the vaccine but debate can’t include defacing property.

"We had a man come in recently who tried to make a scene about the vaccine and saying the vaccine was leading to deaths and sterilisation. I tried to speak with him but the conversation went nowhere.

"When Halima was vaccinating a lady came in a handed us a written notice against us for crimes against humanity. The support we've got from the community. The outpouring of support has blown us away."

The vandalising of the pharmacy has caused the community to rally around the business, with many offering their support and even to wash the paint off for them.

One local resident said: “I think it’s disgusting behaviour, if someone who is anti-vaccines wants to try and educate others, they lose all respect by doing it like this.

“People tend to turn to this kind of behaviour when they can’t actually back up what they are saying. If there was a valid argument then they would be able to let the facts do the talking.”

Another resident stated: “My reaction as a local resident is we don’t need ignorance and vandalism in Ambleside and the Lakes.

“Anti-vaxxers are stupid and ignorant.”

The incident was reported to the police.