What would have been Russia’s first-ever gay Pride event has been cancelled within 24 hours of being announced.

A gay rights activist said the celebration would be held in the village of Yablonevy, near the town of Novoulyanovsk, which has a population of seven people.

Nikolay Alexeev wrote on Facebook to say he had received a letter saying the event could take place outside the town.

Thousands of people gather in London for Pride 2018

Mr Alexeev said the mayor of the town, Svetlana Kosarinova, was “the bravest person in Russia” for approving the demonstration.

He said the event would take place on 26 August and warned that the authorised number of attendees, 300, should not be exceeded.

The activist said it was “the most awesome event in Russia’s history!” and called Ms Kosarinova ”a real liberal, democrat, and simply the greatest human.”

However, unnamed local authorities then said the “information is not true” and stressed “we will not hold any gay parades” in a statement to the Tass news agency.

London Pride 2018: in pictures Show all 47 1 /47 London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (C) opens the Pride In London parade on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Chelsea fans walk the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A parade goer during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Parade goers during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A parade goer during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07:The rainbow flag at Piccadilly Circuse during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures epa06870798 Participants carry a giant Rainbow flag as tens of thousands of people attend the annual London Pride Parade in London, Britain, 07 July 2018. Londoners turned out in support of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender/Transsexual) community. EPA/ANDY RAIN ANDY RAIN EPA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (C) opens the Pride In London parade on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A view along Regents Street ahead of the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A view along Regents Street ahead of the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures Members and supporters of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community wait for the start of the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Labour party members walk the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Barefoot Wine are the official wine sponsor of Pride In London and have been a proud ally of the LGBTQ community since 1988. They celebrated in this years parade with 6 dancing wine bottles matching the 6 different colours of the pride rainbow on July 7, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Milan/Getty Images for Barefoot Wine ) Mark Milan Getty Images for Barefoot Wine London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A proposal of marriage is accepted during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London

Such parades are often shut down by Russian authorities due to a 2013 law which banned “homosexual propaganda” and demonstrations supporting gay rights.

Gennady Denikayev, the town manager of Novoulyanovsk, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty the decision was invalid because he had not been consulted.