A reporter has hit back at online trolls after she and her colleagues were dubbed “fake journalists”.

Burnley Express journalist Sue Plunkett has taken aim at the perpetrators of online abuse following the jibe, made after she posted a story online about crime in the Lancashire town.

She subsequently asked readers to suggest what were the biggest crimes committed in the area where they live, with one responding that “the biggest crimes are the fake journalists at the Burnley Express”.

The abuse prompted Sue, pictured, to write a column defending the integrity of her Express colleagues.

She wrote: “I’ve got used to criticism over the years, it comes with the territory. Journalists are an easy target, always have been and usually get blamed for every wrong in the world.

“OK, maybe that is a slight exaggeration. But the media is often targeted for pushing an agenda or trying to influence public opinion.

“But to be called a ‘fake journalist’ was something that hurt me, both professionally and personally. I have never reported ‘fake’ news in my entire career or ever written a false story.

“Granted, a lot of the information we receive is taken in good faith and run in that same good faith. But if there is any doubt thrown on the facts we don’t run the story.”

Sue worked for 12 years on the Accrington Observer and has spent the past two decades on the Express, her hometown paper.

In her column, she added: “We don’t have a ‘hidden agenda’ or support one political party, and we don’t pay people for their stories either.

“There, I’ve said it for those who often accuse of those things. This is a job, like any other, but far from being a nine to five grind, it is exciting, challenging and interesting.

“And, if any of us were indeed ‘fake ‘we would soon be discovered, no doubt, by our biggest fans who are also our biggest critics… you, our readers.”

Speaking to HTFP, Sue said she had “been called many names during my career but ‘fake’ was a first”.

She added: “It wasn’t something I was prepared to take or let go to be honest. Besides being incorrect it was also insulting.

“Since the column was published I have been truly overwhelmed at the positive response and messages of support… from readers, people I have written about, friends, former colleagues, acquaintances.

“Even a waiter in a local cafe told me he had seen the column on his newsfeed. It made me feel truly humbled.”