Cumbria Pride campaigners have vowed to stand up to the “extremists” behind a vile hate-filled leaflet.

The charity received a double-sided ‘Pride Points to Ponder’ leaflet in the post - sent directly to its LGBTQ+ headquarters in Carlisle - and it was full of false, misleading and offensive information.

The county’s police force has pledged to fully investigate the incident and insists that hate crime has no place in Cumbria.

As the 10th pride event is about to get underway in the city, Pam Eland, Cumbria Pride chairwoman, says she will not let bullies stop the celebrations: “It’s extremism: they go way too far, but there is support there for them to be able to produce this leaflet.

“It’s the fact they have taken the time to put a stamp on and post it.”

Pam added: “We’ve had [a leaflet] before, and that was the year the protesters came.

“I’m not worried at all though - if we were, we wouldn’t do it.

“You have got to put your faith in the community, the police and the security we have at the event, if they can’t protect you then what else can you do?

“It’s just paper at the end of the day.”

Cumbria Police will once again be attending Cumbria Pride, and have pledged to support the LBGTQ+ community in the fight against discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

Chief Inspector Richard Quinn said: “The content in the leaflet delivered to the LGBTQ+ HQ in Carlisle is extremely offensive. We will do everything we can to identify the people responsible for creating and sending this literature.

“I can reassure the public that all reports of hate crimes are treated seriously and investigated thoroughly. We work closely with our LGBT communities to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation of people due to their sexual orientation or gender.

“Anyone who witnesses or is subject to any hate crime incident is encouraged to contact us immediately.”

Growing up at a time when behaviour like this happened more often, Martin Reeves, vice chairman for the charity, said: “All of this is very offensive - I was disgusted when I saw it.

“For people to think this is OK in 2019, when we have come so far over the last 50 years...

“Some of these factions you just have to ignore.”

One staff member at the LGBTQ+ headquarters said it was the first time she had ever come across this type of hate-fuelled literature.

“I have been ‘out’ since I was a little,” she explained, “and no one has ever made me feel victimised like this, even though it’s just a leaflet.

“I have never felt anything like it before.

“I’m bigger than this though. I’m angry looking at it, but if someone has a problem it is their problem not mine, I’m more angry for other people who could be upset over this.”

n Cumbria Pride runs from 11am on Saturday at Carlisle Castle.