More than a thousand students and supporters of gay rights descended on a supermarket in protest after a couple were told they would be thrown out if they did not stop kissing.

A customer complained to a security guard when Annabelle Paige, a University of Sussex student, gave her girlfriend a peck on the cheek in the New England Street branch of Sainsbury’s, Brighton, on Saturday – National Coming Out Day.

The mother said the act was “disgusting” and the guard – contracted by the store from an outside company - told the pair to refrain or leave.

The university’s student’s union and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists organised the ‘Big Kiss-In’ protest outside the store this evening after a torrent of outrage at the incident reverberated around Brighton.

With a kiss themed playlist featuring artists like Katy Perry and Prince, nearly one thousand people including Brighton and Hove City Council councillors turned out in protest of homophobia.

Sara Fogg, 33, from Brighton, attended the Big Kiss-In with her wife Caroline, 37.

She said: “Everyone has a right to show affection regardless of their sexuality or gender. I think it is good to show support in this way and take a stand.”

Green councillors Stephanie Powell and Phelim Mac Cafferty both attended the event.

Coun Powell said: “I was astounded this happened, it is archaic in this day and age.

“It is just common sense not to act in this way and the security guard should not have even questioned the situation.

“It must have been humiliating for the couple and if it was me I would never shop here again.”

Despite some customers being frustrated they could not get their trolleys through the aisles, there was a party atmosphere at the event.

Michael Segalov, the student’s union communications officer, said: “This has been a show of strength from the Brighton community, and we showed there is no place for homophobia here.

“We call on Sainsbury's to take their responsibilities seriously, and display a commitment to the cause they claim to support.”

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, praised the action but said the incident showed “there is still some way to go before homophobia is stamped out in the city”.

She said: “The Kiss-In event is a typically creative, Brighton way to highlight the issue, and it’s encouraging to hear it’s got so much support within the local community.”

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury's said: “We understand the point that people were making today and we were happy to welcome the Big Kiss-In to our store.

“We’re pleased everyone had fun and we were happy for the chance to remind everyone just how important being an inclusive business and employer is to us.”

Also see: The Big Kiss In in pictures