REPRESENTATIVES from various political groups showed a united front with other campaigners and union members to voice their protest to the UKIP leader's visit to Barrow.

Members of the Furness LGBT group and Unite Against Fascism (UAF) held protests in Barrow in opposition to UKIP leader Gerard Batten’s meeting in the town on Thursday night.

A Unity statement organised by UAF gathered support from, among others, Julie Ward MEP, local councillors, members of Barrow Trades Union Council, and members of unions including the RMT, UNISON, Unite and others.

People gathered at The Spirit of Barrow Statue in Dalton Road, o hear speeches from George Appleton, Chair of Barrow Trades Union Council; Barrow Borough Councillor Alec Proffitt; and Paul Jenkins, North West Organiser of UAF; as well as messages of support from Gail Bundy of Unite the union, and Mandy Penellum from Barrow Trades Union Council.

Meanwhile Lee Wicks from Furness LGBT hosted a march which set off from Barrow Park with support from Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock.

The gatherings took place at the same time UKIP leader Mr Batten met with members of the party's Barrow and Furness branch at the Soccer Bar.

Mr Batten's visit had originally intended to be open to the public but the venue had to be cancelled twice after the owners of Cloud 9 and the Lisdoonie Hotel reported their staff had been subjected to verbal threats from unidentified individuals.

There has been no evidence to suggest any of the threats were made by locals objecting to the visit.

Cloud 9 owner Simon Crompton reported the nuts on all four of his car's wheels had been loosened on the day his venue was confirmed as the original location for the UKIP event.

This was only discovered when his partner drove in the vehicle with their son in the backseat.

Mr Woodcock said ahead of the UKIP meeting: “Even UKIP’s own MEPs want nothing to do with the extreme intolerance of their latest leader so I think he is on a hiding to nothing coming over here, even if he does manage to obtain a venue.

"The hate and intolerance being spread by this latest UKIP guy shows he has nothing to say about the everyday problems affecting our community. I expect the people of Furness will give him short shrift and he will soon join the growing ranks of ex-leaders of this now washed-up political party.”

In a statement UAF said: "The Unity Statement that UAF organised showed the strength of opposition from the local trade union and labour movement in opposing racism and fascism. Our slogan is Never Again!’