BARROW'S MP has taken exception to campaigning material shared by a far-right group that used his name.

Simon Fell criticised Patriotic Alternative after the group claimed they had influenced his views on housing refugees who had fled Afghanistan in the town.

In a leaflet circulated on the group's social media channels, activists encouraged new members to join, saying: "Conservative MP recently rejected plans to house in Barrow hotels due to our actions in the area. Great success."

But the MP has hit out at the far-right group, questioning its influence on anyone in the area.

He said: "My views on PA are well known - they’re not welcome here and frankly the only influence I think they’re having in Barrow is in making reasonable folk realise what an awful organisation they are."

Mr Fell criticised the group's 'neo-Nazi' leader Mark Collett.

Mr Collett appeared on a Channel 4 documentary entitled Young, Nazi and Proud and wrote a book in which he described Adolf Hitler's Nuremberg rallies as 'something that one would have been proud to be a part of'.

Public figures in Barrow have repeatedly lined up to condemn the group and its activities in Barrow.

Earlier this year, members Patriotic Alternative hoisted the banner in Barrow town centre and delivered anti-immigrant fliers to houses nearby.

Mr Fell said he had been 'inundated' with messages from Barrovians condemning the group.

"I've seen the leaflets that were sent out and they are the very worst of dog whistle politics, using human misery to drive a wedge between people in a community," the MP said.

Leaflets posted through doors claimed without evidence that immigration into Britain was straining public services and increasing traffic congestion.

Mr Fell previously raised concerns over refugees been temporarily housed in a Barrow hotel.

He said he was 'very concerned' about community tensions.

He added: “Barrow is a fantastically warm-hearted community and I’m sure that community groups will be keen to support these people who have been through hellish conditions to reach our shores, but we have to be careful to make sure that this doesn’t become a political football, and that maintaining community safety remains paramount.”