COUNTER terrorism police have released a man arrested on suspicion of threatening to kill gay people with a machete - as activists in Barrow vow to fight back against hatred which they claim they face daily in Barrow.

The defiance among the LGBT community comes after a 19-year-old Barrow man was arrested on suspicion of making threats in which he allegedly said he wanted to slaughter gay people with a machete.

After receiving intelligence about the alleged threats, which were aimed at people attending a gay pride event at the New Empire in Dalton Road, police urged revellers to consider "staying at home".

The man was arrested later that night and quizzed by counter terrorism police over the weekend before being released on bail while detectives continue to investigate.

A force spokeswoman said: "Cumbria police can confirm that they are continuing their investigation into the activities of a 19-year-old man who was arrested in Barrow on Friday June 23, for threats to kill and associated terrorism offences.

"Following a joint investigation by officers from Cumbria Crime Command and the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, the man is currently on conditional police bail, which will be robustly managed, pending further inquiries.

"Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact Cumbria police on 101."

Gay rights activist Lee Wicks, who runs a weekly LGBT event at Traditions in Hindpool Road, said he hadn't initially planned on attending Friday's event at the New Empire.

"After the police issued their warning telling people to stay away my phone just went crazy," he said.

"And I decided I would go down to the event, as a show of support and to show that we will not be threatened.

"There was an air of nervousness among everyone there but there was also a sense of defiance."

Mr Wicks said that police have now contacted him and arranged to send officers to his Thursday night LGBT event at Traditions to reassure revellers.

"What has the world come to when we can't go out for a pint and a dance without feeling threatened?" he added.

"We won't take risks but we will carry on as normal. We are not going to let this beat us."