Last weekend, more than 150 men and women in Largs signed the petition protesting against plans to allow gay marriage.

Campaigners say "shoppers queued to add their names to the growing number opposed to the controversial move."

However, the move has attracted a storm of protest on the Largs and Millport News Facebook page since this story appeared earlier today.

A total of 164 added their signatures to the campaign organised by Scotland For Marriage, the umbrella organisation which has pledged to fight Scottish Government proposals to redefine marriage.

A spokesperson for the group which has collected around 45,000 signatures so far throughout Scotland, said: "We received excellent support and collected the names in less than two hours.

"Some people might have thought the gay marriage fight was over just because the Government ignored the results of its own consultation and decided to proceed with legislation despite two thirds of respondents being against it.

"But nothing could be further from the truth.

"Our fight goes on and we are stepping up the campaign, taking it direct to the people in cities, towns and villages across the country.

"With none of the political parties willing to make a stand on behalf of the silent majority we are taking our campaign direct to the people of Scotland. and to individual MSPs.

In March, gay marriage opponents staged a meeting in Largs which was attended by around 30 supporters.

At the time, community councillor Elisabethe Marshall, one of the campaigners present said: "The campaign is not just for people of faith. Christian or otherwise, and is certainly not homophobic. It is a means of objecting to a proposal that would undermine the bedrock of our society."

However, the story has attracted a storm of protest on the Largs News Facebook page this afternoon.

Mhairi Anderson said: "This is a disgrace! It has what to do with any of those small minded people? Ridiculous in this day and age. They should be ashamed."

Kimberley Stevenson said:" Their t-shirts are a contradiction in terms. Scotland For Marriage - yeah only if you fall under certain criteria! and a whole 164 people signed it. What's the population of Largs?"

Petra Vervenne added: "There are so many problems in the world, so many people suffering who need help and this is what you protest? Open your eyes please and go and help people instead of stopping people who love each other."