A FERNDOWN venue has cancelled a controversial dwarf wrestling event following pressure from a charity.

The Extreme Dwarfanators Wrestling Show had been due to take place at Ferndown Leisure Centre on Saturday, October 20, as part of a UK tour.

The Restricted Growth Association (RGA) condemned the event, describing it as a “freak show” that was “primarily about encouraging audiences to laugh at people with dwarfism and the spectacle of violence against dwarf bodies as entertainment for average height people”.

Ferndown Leisure Centre was one of three venues across the country, including Leicester’s Morningside Arena and The Corn Exchange in Devizes, to cancel the event, prompting a backlash from the show’s organisers.

On Facebook, Dwarfanators defended the wrestling event, arguing the “pro show” for people with dwarfism was being “discriminated against because of our size”.

"The RGA a lobbyist group from the England is trying to get our shows cancelled because they feel people with dwarfism cannot compete in a pro wrestling sport.

"They have called us despicable, side show, freak show, Victorian, and grotesque show."

On Saturday, it was reported that event organiser Center Stage Entertainment was suing the venues, alleging discrimination.

The company was also said to be taking action against the RGA over allegations they made false claims.

According to the BBC, three letters of complaint have been written to the venues and the RGA in the hope an agreement can be reached out of court.

The wrestling show is still due to take place in Cardiff, Torquay, Swansea, and Liverpool next month.

Despite Ferndown Leisure Centre’s decision, tickets are still being advertised for sale through the site tickettailor.com

The show is billed as a “body slamming activity” featuring the “world’s smallest wrestlers”.