MR GAY England is working hard on his campaign to get more of the LGBT community adopting children as he prepares to compete for the European title.

Matt Rood, 36, from Brighton, will be heading to Stockholm in Sweden next month for the Mr Gay Europe contest, where national title holders will battle for the continental crown.

He was named the winner of Mr Gay England after a three-month competition which saw him work to promote equality for the LGBT community and introduce his campaign Pride Families.

The professional dog trainer and walker said: “I have recently been busy working with Brighton and Hove City Council and talking to other councils in Manchester and Liverpool to encourage them to support my campaign.

“I just want to encourage people from the LGBT community to come forward and offer to adopt because even if only two per cent of our LGBT community come forward it would be a big help.

“We have been organising question and answer sessions and I have been doing talks on the subject of LGBT couples adopting.

“The aim of the campaign, which I will present during the European contest, is to bring people together to talk and learn more about adoption, such as getting experienced adopters to talk to prospective couples about the process.

“I would love to take the campaign abroad and spread it across Europe, working with local authorities to do so.

“I have also been doing a lot of fun photo-shoots and speaking at primary schools to try to teach children about adoption and LGBT couples getting involved.

“One of the young girls said but that’s two men when she was shown a picture of two men as parents. Educating the younger generation is the only way to target future discrimination.”

Hopefuls in the continental competition will be put through a series of rounds which differ from traditional beauty pageant challenges.

Mr Rood added: “I am thoroughly enjoying being Mr Gay England and have worked really hard.

“I want to spread my positive campaign as far as possible.”

Mr Gay Europe takes place between August 1 and August 5. The deadline for online votes is Friday, August 4.

To vote for Mr Rood during the European contest, visit mrgayeurope.com/delegates/2017delegates/england2017.