GAY rights campaigners have released a statement speaking out against a barrage of hostility at Stratford-upon-Avon’s market on Saturday.

At Saturday’s stall promoting and fundraising for the Warwickshire Pride charity, a lone volunteer was subjected to numerous anti-LGBT+ comments and behaviour.

One person reportedly said he had nothing against LGBT+ people because “it’s an illness that people can’t help catching.”

A Warwickshire Pride spokesman said on Monday that although the incidents were “deeply upsetting and distressing,” they had not been deterred from their work.

“For years, LGBT+ people in Stratford have told us that they do not feel safe there due to hate comments and looks they receive from people.

“We now fully understand why LGBT+ people in Stratford feel that way and will be doing all we can to ensure this trend does not continue.”

The group will be contacting local MPs, the council and the market’s operators to discuss the incidents and what could be done to prevent future attacks.