A PUB in Bradford has sparked outrage after making a "humourous" post about "non-existent, starving, maggot-infested kids" on Facebook.

The post was published at around 11.17am this morning by Richard Peter Dawson, who runs The Cricketers Arms, in Green Road, Baildon.

It said: "Please feel welcome to bring your starving, maggot-infested, lice-riddled kids to The Cricketers Arms Jam sandwich workshop.

"In operation throughout half-term."

This week has seen restaurants, cafés and pubs across Bradford and the country offer free snacks and meals to children who are eligible for free school meals, after the government rejected a motion to provide the meals for youngsters over the half term.

At the time of writing, more than 230 people have responded Mr Dawson's Facebook post, with many reacting in anger.

Mr Dawson commented on his own post, shortly after publishing, to outline he would not be removing it.

It said: "I won’t be deleting my post or any of the comments, if people want to buy into the concept that the government needs to be feeding people's children this half term, that’s their business.

"My view is that the poor are being stigmatised and their supposed needs been used for political capital.

"I see people on television making jokes about rape and genocide, if I can’t indulge in humour about non-existent, starving, maggot-infested kids without incurring the wrath of Baildon then so be it."

There are some who have defended the posts attempt at humour.

While others have touted the idea that perhaps the account has been hacked by someone.

But, the T&A spoke to Mr Dawson and he confirmed the post was created and published by him.

He said: "To me, it's a joke, but you know what people are like.

"I don't want to endanger my staff, that's my main concern, they've got no part in those words.

"You should not have to explain or apologise for humour.

"There are no maggot-ridden kids out there.

"People love to be offended these days.

"I don't want to dig any deeper on a personal level."

Mr Dawson outlines that anyone who comes into the pub regularly and knows him would get the joke.

He said: "Jimmy Carr says horrendous things and gets away with it.

"Bad taste, I don't know, there's a lot of emotions at the moment."

"People joke about worse things."