THE family of an alleged victim of sexual abuse have 'appealed for calm' after protests in Barrow continued to gather momentum.

A woman - speaking on behalf of the family of a woman in her late teens, who claimed she had been sexually abused by a grooming gang - took to social media just hours before far-right activist Tommy Robinson joined hundreds of protesters in the town’s Hollywood Retail Park on Monday evening.

“We have heard rumours that Tommy Robinson is in town,” she said.

“We want to make it clear that this has nothing to do with us and we do not want him involved.

“We believe he is here in (connection) with a different Facebook page.”

“We are a peaceful family who condemns any form of racial hatred.

“We are appealing for calm from the good people of Barrow.

“Thank you again so much for all your support!”

Protesters gathered in the car park before an organised convoy to Ulverston and back.

Organisers of the rally had agreed a route with police.

Videos shared from the scene showed very little social distancing among the hundreds gathered.

Earlier this week Mr Robinson posted a video denying he was coming to Barrow.

The former leader of the English Defence League said: “Just answering some rumours that I’m organising a protest in Barrow, and that I’m in Barrow on Monday, to cause problems and - I’m not.

“So, just end those rumours there please. It’s not true.”

Police had stopped Mr Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and a film crew on the A590 earlier on Monday afternoon.

He told police he had travelled from Luton and was in Cumbria to report on the grooming allegations as a journalist.

After around 30 minutes they advised him to turn around and go home but admitted the could not force him.

A viral social media post, published by the young woman, has been shared thousands of times and has led to a groundswell of support.

She claimed she had been beaten, burned, drugged and trafficked for sex throughout the north of England by a gang of Asian men.

She posted graphic pictures of injuries including bruises, scratches and burn marks.

Her post caused an outpouring of anger on social media and was widely shared.

A woman, 19, has been arrested and charged with seven counts of perverting the course of justice and has appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates Court.