A family owned sausage company is facing a boycott after opening its doors to Boris Johnson.

The Conservative leadership candidate had visited the North Yorkshire headquarters of Heck Food Ltd last week - and was photographed making and packing sausages at the factory.

But the sausage brand has been criticised by some users on Twitter, using the #BoycottHeck hashtag to suggest they may avoid buying its products in future.

One anti-Brexit Twitter user posted: "Sorry, I will not buy my food from a company that not only endorses Johnson but thinks about renaming their product Boris Bangers #BoycottHeck."

Another user wrote: "Used to buy them every week. No more following your support for Boris #boycottheck."


And another added: "Memo to @HeckFood i shall never buy your products again.

"You endorse Boris Johnson as the next PM, he has no morals, values, he's dishonest, xenophobic, he will destroy the economy with a #NoDealBrexit which will cost jobs/livelihoods.

"I'm disgusted with your company #BoycottHeck."

Image: Boris Johnson made a visit to Heck! Food Ltd last week

Not everyone was thinking the wurst of the company, with one user saying: "I love Heck Bangers.

"No snowflake remoaner is going to stop me buying them.

"In fact I'm off to Sainsbos now to get a couple of packs. Bangers n Mash for Tea. How very English."

Another said: "People need to calm down. They make sausages not nukes #BoycottHeck."

Image: The leading Brexiteer is favourite to succeed Theresa May

Heck responded to the online outrage by issuing a statement to make themselves "completely understood".

The company wrote: "We invited both candidates for leadership to come and see us during the York hustings.

"Indeed, we welcome anyone to look round our factory whatever their views or political party.

"We've always said that Brexit or no Brexit, we have to make our own success, new ranges, exporting and innovating.

"That's to secure jobs.

"We do not specifically endorse any candidate, we want to know how Brexit will affect our business and team.

"We wanted to seize upon the chance to ask them what they are going to do to secure the long term future of our team.

"You have to work with who is going to be in power whatever your political view, dialogue is the only way forward."

Image: Mr Johnson backed plans for a 'Sausage of the North' sculpture

The company also pointed to how 50% of their workforce are from Eastern Europe.

During his visit to Heck's headquarters, Mr Johnson - who is favourite to succeed Prime Minister Theresa May - gave his backing for a "Sausage of the North" sculpture to be erected overlooking the A1(M).

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Earlier this year, Heck's plans for a "Sausage World" attraction at their North Yorkshire base were reported to have been put on hold after the company's request for EU funding was refused.

Government officials said the cash had already been spent elsewhere.