Muslim voters in Stoke are being warned they will go to hell unless they vote Labour at the upcoming by-election.

The text message was sent to members of the seven percent Muslim community in Stoke Central and demanded that they vote for Labour's Gareth Snell, in a bid to stop Ukip from winning.

The controversial text, which has been circulated via WhatsApp by Labour activist Navid Hussain, even states that voting for the Liberal Democrats' Muslim candidate, Dr Zulfiqar Ali, will result in the 'anti-Islamic Ukip'.

The controversial text, which has been circulated via WhatsApp by Labour activist Navid Hussain (pictured with Gareth Snell), even states that voting for the Liberal Democrats' Muslim candidate, Dr Zulfiqar Ali, will result in the 'anti-Islamic Ukip'

Mr Hussain, who has posed with Mr Snell and Jeremy Corbyn for pictures on social media, also wrote a message on Facebook, which said: 'Any vote for Dr Ali (Lib Dems) is the same as voting for UKIP

It rants: 'Will you be able to answer for this in the Grave and on the Final Day??? "I helped the Enemies of Islam because…"'

The message was received by local Ukip activist Tariq Mahmood, who described the attack on his party and candidate Paul Nuttall as 'outrageous' to The Sun.

The Lib Dems have reported the texts to the police and elections watchdog.

Their leader Tim Farron said: 'It is worrying and quite serious as it seeks to persuade people on the basis of religious pressure rather than political opinion.

'In the UK this is an illegal activity and strictly prohibited under election law.'

Mr Hussain, who has posed with Mr Snell and Jeremy Corbyn for pictures on social media, also wrote a message on Facebook, which said: 'Any vote for Dr Ali (Lib Dems) is the same as voting for UKIP.'

The message was received by local Ukip activist Tariq Mahmood, who described the attack on his party and candidate Paul Nuttall (pictured) as 'outrageous'

Ahead of next Thursday's election, a Labour spokesman said it was 'not aware' of the messages and 'do not condone the content'.

The by-election is taking place after Labour MP Tristram Hunt quit the party to take a job as a museum boss.

The latest controversy comes after it Mr Snell was engulfed in a sexism row following a series of tweets emerged where he ranted at 'b****y,' 'annoying' and 'stupid' women online.

The tweets show the Labour candidate used to post regular angry comments targeting women on TV.

He hit out at a 'speccy blonde girl' on the 2010 Apprentice as 'f***ing annoying, adding: 'Here's an idea for you, why don't you p*** off.'

UKIP leader and Stoke Central by-election candidate Paul Nuttall gestures after a news conference in Stoke earlier this week

Labour's candidate for the Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election, Gareth Snell, campaigns on the doorsteps of homes in Bentilee on February 8

During the following week's episode he posted another outburst of anger, writing on Twitter: 'Squabbling sour faced ladies on my TV. Is this the #apprentice or Loose Women.'

Mr Snell issued an apology today after his tweets came to light, insisting he now regrets posting them.

He also singled out women for criticism on other TV shows, including the X Factor.

The Labour candidate, a Staffordshire councillor, suggested the public should 'publicly rate' judge Dannii Minogue's talent and 'then we'd see how b***y she wants to be'.

While watching BBC Question Time he hit out at a 'stupid woman' who appeared on the show.

Ukip's Paul Nuttall takes down his own website after storm over his false Hillsborough claim

The website of Ukip leader Paul Nuttall has been taken down for 'maintenance' after the storm over his false Hillsborough claim.

Earlier this week he was forced into making the humiliating confession that he did not lose 'close personal friends' in the 1989 stadium tragedy - despite claiming he did in a blog post on his website.

The site had also made the false claim that he was a professional footballer at Tranmere Rovers.

Now the whole website has been pulled down, claiming to be 'undergoing scheduled maintenance'.

The message adds: 'Sorry for the inconvenience. Please try back soon.'

The website of Ukip leader Paul Nuttall has been taken down for 'maintenance' after the storm over his false Hillsborough claim

Earlier this week Paul Nuttall, pictured, was forced into making the humiliating confession that he did not lose 'close personal friends' in the 1989 stadium tragedy - despite claiming he did in a blog post on his website

It comes just a week before polling day in the key Stoke by-election, with Ukip hoping to score a major coup to elect their second MP and send their first leader to Westminster.

Since being elected as Nigel Farage's replacement in November, Mr Nuttall has been dogged by claims that he has not always told the truth.

He also faces a police probe for electoral fraud after admitting he did not live at the address listed as his home on by-election nomination papers.

But most damaging are claims he was not at Hillsborough at all - a claim he has strongly rejected.

Mr Nuttall's website contained a post from August 2011, written by his press officer, that claimed in the final paragraph he lost 'close personal friends' at the Hillsborough Disaster

Mr Nuttall, who has repeatedly told how he was a Hillsborough survivor, did admit that his website post was wrong to say he lost 'close personal friends in the tragedy that killed 96 football fans nearly three decades ago.

His press officer Lynda Roughly offered her resignation after admitting she was responsible for the inaccurate quote.

But Mr Nuttall refused to accept the 'good and loyal servant' and said it was a 'small mistake' made 'five or six years ago'.

The original press release in August 2011 was said to have been drafted while Mr Nuttall was on holiday and he agreed it by telephone without seeing the text.

In a statement on Tuesday night Mr Nuttall said: 'Today I was made aware of an article on my website which claimed I had lost people close to me at Hillsborough.

'This was an article that I did not write and did not see prior to is being posted by a member of my staff.

'Of course I take responsibility for those things that are put out under my name, but I was genuinely taken aback when this claim was brought to my attention and am both appalled and very sorry that an impression was given that was not accurate.'