The owners of an Italian restaurant have spoken of receiving racist abuse and threats after some people took offence to what they say was a joke on social media.

Residents of Stanley did not take kindly to a Facebook comment made by Titina Ion, who co-owns Osteria Antonio, when she referred to Stanley as ‘Afghanistanley’.

The 46-year-old, known as Tina, took over the restaurant in September with her partner, Antonio Grandieri.

She said 'Afghanistanley' was a term she had not heard before and it came about after a light-hearted conversation with customers on a Friday evening.

In her post, Tina, originally from Romania, said: “We are testing the market as we might move in Consett or Newcastle.

“Afghanistanley is a little rough for the standards we try to offer but even if it does happen it won't be soon (I wish).

“So we will still be here for the nice weather to open the beer garden and do barbecues outside.”

The Northern Echo: Tina and her partner Antonio were surprised at the extent of the backlash after the comment was made on social mediaTina and her partner Antonio were surprised at the extent of the backlash after the comment was made on social media (Image: Gavin Engelbrecht, Newsquest)

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Ms Ion says she has faced abuse about the comment on social media from commentators who were quick to give their opinion on the term as "an awful way to describe your local and potential customer base”.

Now, following a social media backlash, Ms Ion has released a statement in which she alludes to the irony of being labelled “a racist”, claiming she and her family are often referred to as “the Italians” and “the outsiders”.

She also referred to the good she and her partner have done in the community, including a Christmas event last month, and said she is disappointed to be attacked in this way.

The Northern Echo: Tina Ion has issued a statement following the backlashTina Ion has issued a statement following the backlash (Image: Tina Ion)

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Ms Ion’s statement read: “I am profoundly worried at the levels of racism those specific commenters have displayed so openly. It seems to me that in their mentality, the term ‘Afghanistanley’ is racist because in THEIR mentality being compared to or associated with other ethnicities is offensive.

"Some of the comments go as far as distinguishing between ‘the white people of Stanley’ as opposed to 'Italians” and “Romanians' in a demonstration of abhorrent ignorance."

Ms Ion also claimed she had been the victim of threats to smash the restaurant windows and messages "expressing a wish that my car might crash with my family in it".

But Ms Ion insisted she was committed staying in Stanley to run her restaurant, adding: "I will not be bullied away from this town."

Read the full statement here.

The Northern Echo: Tina and her partner Antonio have addressed issues raised by locals on social media after Tina referred to Stanley as 'Afghanistanley' Tina and her partner Antonio have addressed issues raised by locals on social media after Tina referred to Stanley as 'Afghanistanley' (Image: Tina Ion)

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