The disturbing anti-gay diatribe was written by Komsomolskaya Pravda columnist Alisa Titko

Manchester residents have hit back at a Russian journalist who claimed the city was full of 'fat women', 'debauchery' and gay-friendly attitudes that Moscow should avoid.

Alisa Titko launched the disturbing anti-gay diatribe in Komsomolskaya Pravda, claiming Manchester was an example of a city that Moscow - due to host next year's FIFA World Cup Final - should not emulate.

In the shocking editorial, she wrote that young women 'don't mind when fat hangs down from their stomach' and that men in the city 'turn gay' because females are so unattractive.

Outraged residents have now hit back at the claims, with one claiming there are 'plenty of slim and sexy lesbians in Manchester'.

Emma Whelan, 32, a lesbian working in retail from Manchester, said it was 'the craziest thing she's ever heard'.

'I think it's absolute b*******. Tell the Russians to come over and have a look we'll show them a good time. It's small minded.

'Obesity is no worse in Manchester than anywhere else, just look at America, it's a lot worse there. There are plenty of slim and sexy lesbians in Manchester.'

Rebecca Newman, 29, added that it was naive for Ms Titko to think people chose to be gay because they weren't attracted to a certain person.

'I think that you don't just decide if you're gay or straight it's something you were born with. You don't see a fat woman and think "I'm just going to start sleeping with men",' she said.

'Obesity is an issue but not just in Manchester and not just women. If you are looking at someone based on just looks you're doomed on failure.

'It's like she's saying that curvier people aren't attractive which as a woman she should only be encouraging women to be confident and not to confirm to the idea that only skinny people are beautiful.'

Martin Mathews, who is a anti social behaviour officer, said the whole thing was 'frankly ridiculous'.

The 44-year-old, who is gay, said: 'It's worrying that in this day and age those opinions still exist especially in Russia Chechnya and the blatant homophobia which in my opinion has no place in 2017.

'I don't think there is any truth in what she is saying but when I read that article I was quite incensed.'

Emma Whelan (left), 32, a lesbian working in retail from Manchester, said there were 'plenty of slim and sexy lesbians in Manchester'. Student Heidi Green (right), 19, said the number of gay people was to do with the city's tolerant outlook

Outraged residents have now hit back at the claims, with one saying it has made her 'proud' of where she comes from

There was also outrage on Twitter, with many saying they were 'proud' to be from the city.

Sara Miller wrote: 'Sometimes you can't help but be proud of where you came from! #Manchester #GayVillage #Tolerance.'

A user called @gothicamber added: 'We love Manchester. Better than the #homophobic vodka-swilling #Russia of 'Putin.'

Josh, 26 (pictured), said the journalist's statement were 'misguided'

Wayne Redding called Manchester the 'best city in the world', adding: 'How very dare she!'

And, responding to Ms Titko's claim that everyone in Manchester 'eats so much fast food and potatoes', one user wrote: 'Russia is full of people that eat potatoes and drink vodka. Manchester could be twinned with Russia.'

In the article, Ms Titko quoted one Russian visitor as saying: 'Their women are so fat, they look disgusting to their men.

'You see, they eat so much fast food and potatoes. And they drink beer from huge glasses. Here is the result.'

Ms Titko then tells her readers: 'It is true that there are many fat people in Manchester.

'Local young women don't mind when fat hangs down from their stomach and body - and does not fit into their jeans.

'Whatever, when they go to a nightclub they put on tight fit leggings and mini-dresses.

'Of course, it is hardly possible that men turn gay because girls are too fat and non-sexual. But it can influence it too.'

She then goes on to attack Manchester's famous Gay Village.

'In Manchester there is a whole part of the city for gay people. Nobody told me about it, I have found it myself when I was walking around the town,' she wrote.

'There is even a place there saying 'Gay Village'. It is the most popular place for such couples, there are cafes and clubs there with small rainbow flags.

'Of course, a young man with a girl can also go into the gay club but they should know that if somebody approaches them, it maybe not just for a chat but for something more deep.'

Alisa Titko's jaundiced view is a striking example of intolerance to homosexuals in Russia

She claimed Manchester showed why people were wrong to call for Moscow to be 'more tolerant to couples with non-traditional sexual orientation'.

'In the evenings gays and lesbians are having fun not only inside but also outside and they do not hide their feelings,' she continued.

'In one cafe, there was a wedding of two rather big girls.

'One of them was wearing a bridal veil, the second had a black-tie on. Their mothers and friends were sitting at the table with them.

'At the next table we saw a man in a skin mask who was sticking his tongue out of it when he wanted to lick the ear of his partner.

'We see explicit posters on the walls, for example the one of kissing Batman and Superman.'

Alisa Titko complained about this mural on a wall in Manchester, saying it was 'explicit'

One Russian visitor is quoted saying: 'Their women are so fat, they look disgusting to their men'. File photo of revellers in Manchester

She claimed gay people openly holding hands and kissing was 'disgusting'.

'It is such a pleasure that there are no such gay streets in Moscow,' she said.

Her jaundiced view is a striking example of intolerance to homosexuals in Russia and comes amid reports that gay men in Chechnya were rounded up into 'concentration camps' where they were were beaten and tortured, with some killed.

Relatives were also urged to carry out 'honour killings' on their homosexual family members because of shame.

Titko told her readers bizarrely that 'the fact that there are more and more people with non-traditional sexual orientation in Russia' was because 'their mothers did not beat them enough when they were kids. It is a measure of their immorality.'

She demanded: 'Let's remain Russian. Let's start normal families. Let's give birth in legal marriages. And don't lets mix love and debauchery'.

Reacting to the comments, student Heidi Green, 19, said: 'I think it's wrong and generally cities are full of slimmer people because people walk around more. It's not like in America. I think cities are full of more diverse people.

'The reason for our gay population is the fact we are an accepting city for gay people I don't think it has anything to do with what women look like.'

Mike, 25 a researcher from Manchester, who is also gay, said: 'The fact she had come to the village which is designed for LGBT people to come and have that reaction and turn it into a really negative thing is really horrible.

'Everyone I've spoken to has said that they are surprised that level of bigotry can exist.'

Josh, 26, added: 'It is Russia and there are a lot of homophobic issues there. It's very misguided and a very sweeping statement.'