MORE than 100 people are set to protest as Ukip opens a new office at a former brothel in Pokesdown.

Tomorrow the political group is opening its Bournemouth East headquarters at the former Rose Beauty massage parlour in Christchurch Road.

Following the announcement of the launch, a group called “Welcoming Party for Ukip Bournemouth East” was set up on the social media site Facebook.

The group has organised a protest to correspond with the official opening, which is due to take place at noon.

On the group’s Facebook page, which accuses the political party of being “anti-gay” and “anti-gay marriage”, it states protestors will be giving Ukip Bournemouth East a “big ‘welcome’”.

More than 100 people have pledged to attend the protest. All protestors are being urged to remain peaceful.

On the public Facebook page, Thorlak Gudrod Hallett wrote: “Just to confirm that this event was organised to highlight the fact that Ukip have chosen this sensitive and diverse location to situate their headquarters.”

He added: “We do not or will not associate this gathering with any violent acts. Feel free to attend and throw your questions at UKIP members. But please no projectiles.”

The new Ukip headquarters is being officially opened by Ukip deputy chairman Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine.

The premises was a former beauty salon, Rose Beauty, which was closed down last year for offering sexual services.

Gawain Towler, spokesman for Ukip, branded claims the party is homophobic as “ridiculous”.

He said: “We have a very healthy LGBT group within the party. One of our MEPs is gay and out. We are not anti-gay.”

Regarding the planned protest he added: “We like to think we all have freedom of speech in this country.

“We just hope they don’t do anything to cause any hassle to the guests coming to our event or any police that will be there.”