Haulage company's gay veto

The decision to remove the lorries from the parade, which celebrates gay and lesbian relationships, was taken just five days before the event by the company manager Derek Page.

Mr Page said that as a Christian he would not support the parade as homosexuality goes against his beliefs.

He said: "I was not aware that it was a gay parade. We are a Christian company and I don't want to support it.

"We provide lorries for the Littlehampton, Rustington, Worthing and Bognor carnivals and I support them. When I found out what this was I didn't feel comfortable with it.

"I'm trying to bring Christian values into my business and I find that if things are not as I want them then I don't have to do them and God will honour me.

"God loves people but he doesn't love what's inside them. I'm not trying to harm anyone, this is my belief."

PJ Aldred, operations manager of the Gay Pride parade, said: "This is exactly why Pride is still here, to help stop this kind of bigotry that still exists.

"We have many groups that take part in the parade from local churches.

"Three community groups, including Brighton University, have now lost their vehicles. We are now trying desperately to find other lorries for them to use."

The company, based on the Rudford Industrial Estate in Ford, has provided lorries free of charge to the parade for the past five years before Mr Page became aware of the nature of the event.

The company employs 75 people on the Ford site and a further 15 people in Cambridge.

One of its employees, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "This is ridiculous. Everyone else in the company is 100 per cent in support of Gay Pride.

"The lorries weren't even going to be used by gay groups, it was the university, a theatre group and another that were using them.

"They had been down to the depot to measure up for their decorations and everything.

"I think it's wrong of him to make this decision."