BOLTON’S Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd has been photographed holding hands with his male deputy to support gay athletes taking part in the Winter Olympics.

Mr Lloyd and deputy Jim Battle took part in the Same Sex Hand Holding Initiative (#SSHHI), a campaign launched by global gay rights coalition Pride House International.

He said: “It’s such a simple message which I hope demonstrates to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people participating in the Sochi Games — and all LGBT people across Russia — that we stand shoulder to shoulder with them.”