TWO Facebook pages that invited people to mock pictures of Bolton residents have been taken down after they sparked outrage from internet users.

The 50 Shades of Bolton and 50 Shades of Lancashire groups had internet users up in arms when the page owners copied pictures of people, many who lived in Johnson Fold, and re-posted them on the website and invited mockery.

Both pages have now been removed, although it is not clear who has removed them or why.

The 50 Shades of Lancashire page, which featured a cover photo of young girls walking in Bolton town centre, had a disclaimer saying: “SEND US ALL YOUR FUNNY PICTURES.

“USUAL RULES APPLY IF YOU ARE OFFENDED OR FRIGHTENED BY ANY OF THE CONTENT ON OUR PAGE WE WILL REMOVE IT WHEN WE HAVE ALL FINISHED LAUGHING!!”

Captions invited mockery of the subjects' appearance, with comments such as "how does he have a girlfriend?" and ironically referring to one youngster as a ladies' man.

One victim saw pictures of himself, his wife and his deceased uncle used on the 50 Shades of Bolton page.

The Bolton resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It is getting beyond a joke with the pics being stolen from people, especially my wife.

“The Bolton page was taken down twice that I know of, but always comes back.

“I also messaged the Bolton one before it was taken down — they said the only way they would remove my pics is if I sent them more.

“Whoever it is is very rude. Even when asked nicely to remove my dead uncle’s pictures they didn’t. It’s horrible.”

Anti-bullying campaigner Charlie Barrett said online bullying is becoming an increasing problem, and he urged internet providers to do more to stop the issue.

The 46-year-old from Deane, whose charity B-Free is set to launch in the next few months, said: “When I was younger I was bullied and it was horrendous.

“The scariest thing about it all was knowing that when I went outside I wasn’t safe — but when I came home, I was safe.

“Now people are coming home and going online and it’s a different world.

"Home isn’t safe anymore — people can infiltrate where you live and it’s horrible thing to face, and feel intimidated.”

Mr Barrett urged anyone who has their photos copied to complain to Facebook and ask for the page to be taken down.

The Bolton News emailed the administrators of the 50 Shades of Lancashire Facebook page but did not receive a response.

It is not known whether or not the same person is behind both pages.