A FACEBOOK page that invited people to mock pictures of Lancashire residents has been taken down after it sparked outrage from internet users.

The 50 Shades of Lancashire group had internet users up in arms when the page owners copied pictures of people and re-posted them on the website and invited mockery.

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The page has now been removed, although it is not clear who has removed it or why.

The 50 Shades of Lancashire page, which featured a cover photo of young girls walking in Bolton town centre, had a disclaimer saying: “SEND US ALL YOUR FUNNY PICTURES.

“USUAL RULES APPLY IF YOU ARE OFFENDED OR FRIGHTENED BY ANY OF THE CONTENT ON OUR PAGE WE WILL REMOVE IT WHEN WE HAVE ALL FINISHED LAUGHING!!”

Captions invited mockery of the subjects' appearance, with comments such as "how does he have a girlfriend?" and ironically referring to one youngster as a ladies' man.

Anti-bullying campaigner Charlie Barrett said online bullying is becoming an increasing problem, and he urged internet providers to do more to stop the issue.

The 46-year-old from Deane, whose charity B-Free is set to launch in the next few months, said: “When I was younger I was bullied and it was horrendous.

“The scariest thing about it all was knowing that when I went outside I wasn’t safe — but when I came home, I was safe.

“Now people are coming home and going online and it’s a different world.

"Home isn’t safe anymore — people can infiltrate where you live and it’s horrible thing to face, and feel intimidated.”

Mr Barrett urged anyone who has their photos copied to complain to Facebook and ask for the page to be taken down.

Our sister title, The Bolton News, emailed the administrators of the 50 Shades of Lancashire Facebook page but did not receive a response.