A gay-friendly bar has shocked regular customers by coming out in favour of UKIP because of its policies on the pub industry.

The Harewood Arms in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, has publicly revealed its support for the right-wing party, which is running a 'Save the Pub' campaign in the run up to the election.

The pub, which is known for proudly flying the gay pride flag outside its premises, declared its support for Nigel Farage's party over the weekend.

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The Harewood Arms, a gay-friendly pub in Wakefield, West Yorkshire (pictured), has publicly revealed its support for Nigel Farage's UKIP, which is running a 'Save The Pub' campaign in the run up to the election

Announcing the decision to support UKIP, landlord Matt Eason wrote on Facebook: 'We believe in a lot of the policies UKIP stands for regarding the pub industry and would like to let you know we show our support'

It has left regular customers stunned and provoked a 'Marmite' reaction of divided opinions.

Announcing the decision to vocally-support UKIP, landlord Matt Eason wrote on Facebook: 'We believe in a lot of the policies UKIP stands for regarding the pub industry and would like to let you know we show our support.

'I had a lovely chat with Alan [Hazelhurst, UKIP candidate for Wakefield] this week and we will be organising a few things at the pub to help the campaign and will let you all know more when we know what's happening!'

He added that the pub had received a 'Marmite love it or hate it of reception from some people' over the announcement - with gay regulars shocked at the pub's ignorance of the string of homophobic comments made by some UKIP candidates.

One customer said: 'Drinking elsewhere now. F*** this UKIP.'

While another responded: 'A gay pub that supports UKIP. This pub should be given a miss.'

Mr Eason said the Harewood Arms was holding a 'rally style meet and greet evening' with Mr Farage's party.

He added: 'Anyone offended by politics or the party in question will know about the event so if they choose not to visit the pub that night they can do just that.

The pub said it had received a 'Marmite love it or hate it of reception from some people' over the declaration

Nigel Farage, who has been pictured many times drinking in pubs, wants to amend the smoking ban to enable clubs and pubs to make their own decision as to whether they enforce outside smoking or in a special room

'We've said many times we won't be ramming our UKIP support in the face of customers you can still come in and have a normal drink in a normal pub, our view isn't to try and brainwash our customers into voting for someone they don't want to.'

It is UKIP's 'Save the Pub' campaign which has swayed the Harewood Arms' support towards the right-wing party.

The party believes 'not enough is being done to help the ailing pub trade' and claims to make supporting the industry a priority if in power.

In its manifesto, UKIP also promises to amend the smoking ban to give pubs and clubs the choice to open properly ventilated smoking rooms which are separated from non-smoking areas.

It believes an amended smoking ban will go some way to help reignite trade in pubs across the country.

UKIP Wakefield and UKIP LGBT have both praised the pub for the announcement.