A GROUP of self-styled neo Nazis in Cumbria are using an encrypted messaging app to spread ideas and organise meet-ups, it can be revealed.

Members of a Cumbria branch of a far-right group have openly posted photos of themselves saluting Adolf Hitler and hoisting flags bearing Swastikas.

They are using messaging app Telegram to arrange gatherings in the Lake District, the public group chat shows.

Calls are mounting from anti-fascism groups for the communication channels to be shut down.

Messages sent in the group, which we have chosen not to name, include quotes said by Hitler and advice on how to 'convince' friends to support 'National Socialism'.

Images in the group include one showing members stood on an LGBT pride flag while giving Nazi salutes.

The 49 members of the group are also encouraged to read Hitler's Mein Kampf.

Anyone with the app, which boasts more than 400 million users worldwide, can find the publicly accessible group in a matter of seconds.

Campaigners have called for action on the group chat to be taken by Telegram, which has been heavily criticised for allowing extremists and conspiracy theorists to use its services.

Paul Jenkins, a North West Regional Organiser for Unite Against Fascism, who is based in Cumbria, said: "As was shown in Hitler's Germany, fascists use democracy and free speech to destroy democracy and free speech for everyone else."

"There should be no platform for fascists - and this includes social media platforms.

"I don't think Telegram or any other platform should be allowing the far right to hold chats.

"Far-right chats using hate speech should be prosecuted.

"The key thing is campaigning against fascists to politically isolate and defeat them."

National anti-fascist group Hope not Hate has also been vocal in its criticism of Telegram.

Responding to the findings by this newspaper, a spokesman said: “Time and time again, Telegram has failed to take action in tackling the vile and dangerous content hosted on its platform.

"Our research has shown that the messaging app has become a cesspit of extremist content, with minimal moderation or action from Telegram itself to prevent this endless spread of hatred.

"We have repeatedly tried to work with Telegram to improve how the platform is moderated to no avail – the fact that Telegram continues to harbour content favoured by extremists is beyond reproach.

“It’s a growing issue that Telegram is used for organising among the far right.

"In the past, Telegram has taken action against Islamist terrorism on its platform. We don’t think it’s too much to ask for far-right extremism to also be addressed.”

A spokesman for Counter Terror North West said: "The threat to the UK from extreme right wing terrorism is growing, with 12 of the 32 foiled plots since 2017 relating to it, and we take this threat extremely seriously.

"Counter Terror Policing has a dedicated unit which monitors social media to identify and remove extremist content where possible. If this content breaches TACT legislation, then we will look to arrest and prosecute those responsible.

"We would urge anyone who comes across extremist content to report it to police - you can do so via the online reporting tool at www.gov.uk/act."

Telegram did not respond to a request for comment.