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Banners attacking the decision to film the new series of Benefits Street in Teesside were flown at the weekend’s Boro match.

Two were on display at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday - slamming the decision to film the Channel 4 show on Kingston Road at Tilery, Stockton.

One banner read “Being poor is not entertainment” while the other said “f*** Benefit Street”.

The Boro supporters group, Red Faction are the group behind the banners, and have spoken to The Gazette about why they took the step to take them to the Boro v Reading game.

“I was hoping it would catch people’s eye at the match and help raise awareness,” said group member Steve Fletcher, 27.

“I don’t think the show will paint Teesside in a particularly good light. It is trivialising a serious social issue.

“Shows like this demonise working class people. They need help not mocking.”

“I am a proud Teessider,” added Steve, a telephone engineer. “I am proud of where I come from and don’t think this show should be filmed here.”

As reported, filming of the second series of the hugely controversial TV show Benefits Street is under way in Stockton’s Kingston Road.

Read all our coverage on Benefits Street series 2 in Kingston Road

The news has angered and raised concern among local MPs, council leaders and community groups. It has been accused of “exploiting people” for the “sake of entertainment”.

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham has written to every resident of Kingston Road asking them to “think again” about taking part in the Channel 4 documentary.

The Labour MP has already suggested the makers of the programme, Love Productions, should “get out of the town” after accusing them of setting people up for “entertainment purposes only”.

But the hit show’s producers insist it is about “giving a voice” to a little known section of society.

Kieran Smith, creative director for factual at Love Productions, said: “The thing about Benefits Street is we’re looking to give a voice to a community that don’t really have a voice.

“We think it’s incredibly important to represent those people.”