Gay activists from Pride in Canterbury have complained to the local government watchdog that Canterbury City Council does not do enough for them.

Among their gripes are the failure of the council to open a gay community centre, the absence of a gay bar and what they describe as the "stereotypical" depiction of a gay character in a play at the Marlowe Theatre.

They have written to the Local Government Ombudsman with their concerns.

But the council has countered that it has done much to help the district’s gay community with money, help and use of facilities.

City council chief executive Colin Carmichael (pictured right) said: "The council strongly refutes any suggestion by Pride in Canterbury that we do not want to engage with the gay community, and we are very disappointed that they have referred this to the ombudsman.

"The council has provided Pride in Canterbury with funding of more than £4,000 since 2005/6 through our grants system, to help them identify the needs of the gay community and promote their concerns.

"Last year we held a gay open day at the council offices, which was widely advertised, including in the gay Press, well attended by more than 40 people and received very good feedback from those present.

"We believe that through regular correspondence with Pride in Canterbury over many years, we have thoroughly addressed their concerns and shown ourselves to be a council that has taken action to address the needs and priorities of the lesbain, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community."

However, Andrew Brettell of Pride in Canterbury argues the city would benefit from so-called ‘pink tourism’ if the council did more to promote lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender culture.

He complained: "We’re someone to be dealt with, not a group to work with.

"They’re more interested in ticking their equality boxes and engaging in back-and-forth ‘who-said-what’ games than they are in dealing with the real issues.

"They’ll respond to our letters, so that they can say they’ve replied to us. But they never respond to our concerns.

"We do not believe the council want a thriving LGBT community in their City"

Lord Waheed Alli, the openly gay Labour peer, is pushing for an equality bill which he says would force the council to promote gay culture.

The ombudsman is still investigating Pride in Canterbury’s complaint. A result is due by May 20.