Swindon Borough Council is keeping an eye on its Polish twin town Torun in case it takes bigoted action against LGBT people.

The Dutch city Nieuwegein has cut ties with its Polish twin Pulawy after the city in south east Poland declared itself an “LGBT-free zone”. Swindon could do the same if Torun follows suit.

A report by Human Rights Watch says about 30 Polish towns and cities have passed similar motions to Pulawy’s.

Old Town Conservative councillor Nick Burns Howell said the issue was raised with him by Swindon and Wiltshire Pride.

He said: “Torun thankfully has not made these declarations and I hope never does.

“This is an issue which Swindon & Wiltshire Pride has flagged and I’m sure concerns many across Swindon.

“It is appropriate the borough makes commitment to stand together with the Polish LGBTQ communities against such intolerance. I’ve asked the cabinet member with responsibility for equalities to voice our concerns and to declare our support for these citizens living with fear of persecution.”

Rob Jandy said he has political and personal reasons to take this very seriously.

“I’m half Polish and the actions being taken against the LGBGTQ communities shake me to the core,” he said.

“I’ve been monitoring this situation for the past few years, with an increasingly heavy heart.

“We may live in a time of uncertainty, where the lessons from history seem to have been forgotten, but the council fully acknowledges human rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

“The terrible events we are seeing unfold in Poland, remind us all not to be complacent about equality and diversity issues and of the responsibility each of us has to ensure it never happens here.

"We must help and support all those experiencing brutality and discrimination across the world.”

“I have written to the prime minister to urge him to do whatever he can to express this country’s dismay at what is happening in Poland and to work with the Polish government to right these wrongs.”

Councillors from across the political divide were united.

The Labour group’s deputy leader and spokesman on equalities and inclusion Emma Bushell said: “The concept of ‘LGBT-free zones’ is appalling.

“Labour supports the council’s stance on this issue.

"We’d like to express our solidarity with LGBTQ communities under attack in Poland and elsewhere around the world. It is encouraging to see the council taking an interest in a global human rights issue.”

The Liberal Democrat group leader Stan Pajak added: “As the mayor who formed the relationship with the historical city of Torun, I’m confident that with a massive student population and its modern outlook Torun will not join with the right wing Polish political parties and their views on LGBT.”