Customers have rallied round a Virginia waitress who received a note from a couple who said they "don't tip black people".

Kelly Carter, who works at Anita's New Mexico Style Cafe, said the two customers left a receipt with the written message: "Great service don't tip black people."

She said the couple appeared to be in their mid-20s and had spent $30.52 (€29) on food.

Tommy Tellex, the restaurant owner, said the response from the community since the incident on Saturday had been "phenomenal".

Hatred will not be tolerated and we will not keep quiet. This has been confirmed and did happen per Mgr @ Anita's in Ashburn. pic.twitter.com/UKaLCaKf9h — Loudoun County NAACP (@NAACP_Loudoun) January 8, 2017

A YouCaring had raised more than $1,200 (€1,132) for her and people had been coming into the restaurant to give her cash, he told the BBC.

“She has a following,” he was quoted as saying by WJLA. “Her philosophy for customer service is way beyond the norm. And we're really happy to have her.”

Ms Carter, who said one of the customers had even commented on how much she liked the breakfast she had served her, said she would not let the incident affect her.

"[The customer] didn't hurt me. He only hurt himself. He only makes me stronger,” she said.

She also said she would recognise them if they returned and she would be happy to serve them.

"Just me serving them will let them know they did not get the best of me. And I truly mean that," she said.

Mr Tellez, who described the note as "appalling, disheartening, and outrageous", said Ms Carter had "handled it very well" and approved of her wish to serve the couple again.

"Two wrongs don't make a right", he told the BBC.

Waiting staff rely on tips in the US, and the standard tip in a restaurant is 15-20 per cent.

Telegraph.co.uk