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A bookmakers has defended praising a darts fan who “blacked-up” for a Diane Abbott costume, claiming it was an “impressive attempt at fancy dress”.

Star Sports Bookmakers, based in East Sussex, has refused to apologise for sharing the picture, which has been widely condemned for its "casual racism".

The bookies shared the photo of the sports fan at the World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace on Friday.

“An early contender for best fancy dress costume at the #PDC #WorldDartsChampionships tonight at #AllyPally," the caption alongside it read.

The picture sparked a huge backlash on social media, with Labour MP Stella Creasy blasting the bookmakers for casual racism.

Talk Sport radio producer Sal Ahmad said the betting shop “should know better”, while singer Jermain Jackman wrote: “Everyone report this highly offensive and clearly racist tweet and shut down this stupid waste of a Twitter page.”

Actress Nicola Thorpe tweeted: “I cannot believe they haven’t taken this tweet down. That is appalling. What were you thinking?”

Replying to Walthamstow MP Ms Creasy, the bookies defended their post and said: “This wasn’t some guerrilla marketing stunt Stella, one of our team attended on a social night out.

“We thought it was a very impressive attempt at fancy dress and merely shared it with our followers. Please stop taking things so seriously.”

Ms Creasy replied: “Ah yes, of course – promoting casual racism is all so TERRIBLY hilarious that anyone who thinks it’s wrong is just a snowflake ey @starsports_bet…blah blah…”

She added if the bookies does not understand why it is “out of order” she hopes venue Alexandra Palace will.

Scores of people blasted the tweet, with people calling it "awful" and "disgusting".

Someone else said: “It is usually poorly educated souls or year four pupils that tend to find this hilarious.”

Others claimed the picture was "epic" and "the greatest costume the darts has ever seen".

Katie Hopkins, who has been accused of racism in the past, referenced the picture and said: “And the award for Twitter 2017 goes to @StarSports_Bet.”

Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott has spoken in the past of the relentless barrage of racist and sexist abuse she has faced.

In September, research revealed the Labour frontbencher received nearly half of all abusive tweets sent to female MPs in the run up to the General Election.