AN Ulverston man who was subjected to electroshock therapy to "cure" his homosexuality has said society has a part to play in ridding the world of homophobic attitudes.

Jeremy Gavins has spoken out after MEP Ann Widdecombe caused outrage by suggesting science could one day "provide an answer" to being gay.

After confiding to one of his teachers at the age of 16 about his sexuality Mr Gavins was told his behaviour was sinful and was given an ultimatum from the headmaster: be expelled or go to his GP and ask for treatment.

He was referred for therapy at Lynfield Mount Psychiatric Hospital where he spent two sessions a week for six months undergoing electroshock therapy.

During the interview on Sky's Ridge on Sunday programme this week, Ms Widdecombe was asked whether people would want to share a platform with her due to her views on homosexuality.

After referencing the scientific progress in gender reassignment, she added: "The fact that we now think it is quite impossible for people to switch sexuality doesn't mean that science may not yet produce an answer at some stage."

"If society fully accepted gay people then there wouldn't be any need for people like Ann Widdecombe and her comments would be ignored," Mr Gavins, 65, said.

"For a politician to say something like this is deeply frustrating; it wouldn't take much for those in power to overturn some of the freedoms we have been afforded and we cannot allow these people to have a platform."

Now comfortable with his sexuality, and after undergoing eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy, Mr Gavins has written a book about his life, called Is It About That Boy?, which is available for sale online and in bookshops in Ulverston.