A Norfolk theatre has been decked in Progress flags in a rebuke to the local MP, who has criticised the symbol for promoting a 'disturbing' ideology.

Staff hung the bunting at the Pavilion Theatre and Bandstand in Gorleston in response to comments from Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe.

He said the flag promoted gender ideology, the idea that people can have a gender identity different from their biological sex.

Critics such as Mr Lowe are worried about the impact of such ideas on vulnerable children and women.

They say these beliefs risk eroding the sanctity of single-sex spaces, such as prisons, hospital wards and changing rooms, as well as women's sports, by granting access to biological males.Pavilion Theatre & Bandstand in Gorleston hangs a Progress Pride buntingPavilion Theatre & Bandstand in Gorleston hangs a Progress Pride bunting (Image: Pavilion Theatre & Bandstand) In a tweet earlier this week, Mr Lowe said the flag should not be flown on public sector buildings.

In response, Great Yarmouth Borough Council flew the flag and posted an image of councillors beneath it.

A Facebook statement from the Pavilion Theatre said: "In response to the recent conversations regarding the flying of the Progress flag outside Great Yarmouth’s Town Hall, we as an organisation and as a team of individuals fully support any action that promotes and celebrates diversity and inclusion within our society - especially for those communities who already find themselves marginalised and the target of hate and discrimination.

"We take enormous pride in being a safe and inclusive space for all and will continue our vital work in supporting and promoting the activities of the LGBTQ+ community through our programming and hosting of events, such as our annual Pride celebration."

Great Yarmouth Borough Council members, from both the Conservative and Labour group, gather outside Town Hall with chief executive Sheila OxtobyGreat Yarmouth Borough Council members, from both the Conservative and Labour group, gather outside Town Hall with chief executive Sheila Oxtoby (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council) Earlier in the week Mr Lowe tweeted: "Public sector institutions should not be pushing this flag. The gender ideology promoted within it is disturbing, and advances the idea that children are often born in the 'wrong' body."

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READ MORE: Row rages as council flies 'progress' flag in direct rebuke to local MP

He also criticised the James Paget Hospital - which has previously flown the flag - over a document it published on its website telling people not to say babies are "born male or female".

The hospital said that it was more "accurate" to say they were "assigned male or female"

The Progress flag is an updated version of the rainbow 'Pride' flag, which also includes black, brown, pink, pale blue and white stripes.The Progress Pride flag on display at the James Paget University HospitalThe Progress Pride flag on display at the James Paget University Hospital (Image: James Paget University Hospital)