ANTI-FASCISM campaigners gathered to show opposition to the actions of a far-group in Barrow.

Barrow Unite Against Fascism took a stand against Patriotic Alternative after the group distributed anti-immigration leaflets and raised a banner proclaiming 'white lives matter'.

Campaigners came together in Barrow town centre to condemn the group.

Patriotic Alternative's leader Mark Collett appeared on a Channel 4 documentary entitled Young, Nazi and Proud and wrote a book in which he described Adolf Hitler's Nuremberg rallies as 'something that one would have been proud to be a part of'.

The far-right group has been accused of scrawling Nazi graffiti on Barrow's Cenotaph last year. The letters 'PA NW' were scrawled on the Cenotaph in Barrow Park next to what appeared to be a Swastika in July - although the group has denied any involvement.

UAF members were joined by Barrow Trades Union Council, trades unionists and others, including Barrow councillor Iain Mooney.

Cllr Mooney said: "It was heartwarming to see an overwhelming condemnation of those seeking to spread fear and hate.

"Residents in our communities across Furness have voiced a rejection of these groups time and time again.

"This group, headed by a known and proud Nazi, have previously posted vile leaflets to Barrow households and have graffitied our Cenotaph, disrespecting all who fought and lost their lives defeating the message these groups try to spread."

Paul Jenkins from Unite Against Fascism said: "The people of Barrow have a proud tradition of rejecting racism and of defeating the far right.

"When 'Patriotic Alternative' supporters graffitied a Nazi swastika on Barrow Cenotaph, this showed the real Nazi face of 'PA', and was an absolutely disgraceful insult to all the people who gave their lives fighting fascism and to the millions of people who were murdered in the Holocaust."

Another group has also expressed concerns over the far right, following an announcement that refugees are due to be temporarily housed in a Barrow hotel.

Furness Refugee Support Group said on social media it was 'concerned about the increase in far right activity locally and encourage anyone who receives a leaflet from a far right group to report it to the police as a hate incident immediately.

"However, we are keen to support the asylum seekers, many of whom are likely to have come from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan following very distressing experiences," it added.

"We have many volunteers who want to help and have already had several offers of donations."