THERE’S a bizarre subculture that exists in the depths of the internet and leaks into the offline world.

It is Furry Fandom ... the culture of dressing up as anthropomorphic animals from cartoons, comic strips, myths and video games.

Photographer Tom Broadbent gained the trust of Furries in the UK and spent time capturing the lives of the people inside the suit.

By day they are computer programmers, engineers, mortgage brokers and fursuit makers. By night they live a life role-playing their “fursona” — the animal they have chosen to live as, generally in private.

They communicate across internet forums and meet up at conventions, keeping one thing sacred — their human identity.

A common misconception about the Furry culture is that it is entirely based on sexual fetish. Although sexuality plays a role in some areas of the Furrydom society, with the welcoming culture accepting all sexual orientations, a Furry sees life inside as much more than a kinky pastime. Furries say they enjoy dressing up for fun and like the freedom the lack of human identity allows. They have the joy of a dress up party in everyday life.

Broadbent captures this world in his stunning set of images At Home With the Furrieswhich show the strange creatures in their natural environment.

Lupus Londonwolf and Alfa Fox, a wolf and fox. They live together in Bishops Stortford.

By day, Akil Tawnybird works as a technician and describes himself as a part-time Gryphon. Of fur-suiting he says: “You can get out of your shell more because no one knows you. It's just a laugh, a bit of fun.”

Smirnoff is a husky wolf hybrid, he lives in North London. He works as an actor and director.

This is Ashram, a dragon, in his garden.

Broccoli, a pink boar, makes fursuits for a living.

Lupestripe, a wolf, works on his car. By day, he works as a journalist in Middlesbrough and takes part in lots of charity events.

Chil the Disco Gryphon and his friend Pants the Panther enjoy a quiet drink in Brighton.

Saethwr, a red dragon from Cardiff, prepares leeks for supper.

Fangorn, a Jedi tiger, hangs out with his lightsaber at home in Swansea, Wales.

Saethwr, the red dragon, loves tending to his lawn in his fursuit.

Twinky is a North American Sea Otter and when he's not swimming and jetskiing he likes to go fishing.

Lupestripe visits his local pub in Middlesbrough after a hard day’s work.

Moon, a deer, enjoys a stroll through her local woods in Sheffield, UK.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel is a sheep who lives in Leicester. He works in IT systems.

This is Jester and Red. Jester is a sergal, a mythical creature, and Red is a lion. They live in Sheffield, UK.

Kreek and Quartermane are a woodland nymph and steampunk lion respectively. They live together in Brighton.

Godzuki, a wolf, and Rebel, a velociraptor, polish Rebel's motorbike.

Fruitloop, a bat and Pazuzu, a demon lord, enjoy a quiet moment in their backyard.

Fangorn, a tiger, practises an instrument at home in Swansea, Wales.