HOTEL bosses said they were ‘disheartened’ following an alleged hate incident that took place just outside their premises.

A video circulating on social media showed a man allegedly shouting racist abuse at a family staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Market Street, Barrow at 8.30pm on Saturday.

The video has been condemned by many in the town and dubbed as ‘sickening’ by one councillor.

A spokesperson for Holiday Inn Express said: “We are extremely disheartened to see an incident like this happen on our doorstep – it is behaviour we simply do not condone and will not tolerate. We’re really busy with guests from across the UK visiting on staycations, and would be disappointed if any of them were given the wrong impression of Barrow – which is such a welcoming and inclusive town – as a result of this incident.”

A spokesman for Cumbria Constabulary said they are investigating the incident that occurred at around 8.30pm on Saturday. Cumbria police confirmed a 66-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence, has been released under investigation.