'It's two fingers up to the haters' - residents fly rainbow flags after their neighbour suffered homophobic abuse

Alex's neighbours are flying rainbow flags throughout their street in support of him. Credit: Manchester Evening News.

Neighbours are flying rainbow flags throughout their street in Greater Manchester in support of a resident who was targeted with homophobic abuse.

Alex Hancock hung a rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBTQ rights, from the window of his home in Old Trafford ahead of the Manchester Pride celebrations this weekend.

But just hours later, two men started shouting vile homophobic insults as he stood outside his home loading up his car.

Alex, 31, says one of the young men threatened to kill him when he challenged their behaviour during the incident - which happened on Wellington Crescent at around 7.20pm on Monday.

Alex's neighbours are flying rainbow flags throughout their street in support of him. Credit: Manchester Evening News.

Shaken by the attack, Alex took to Facebook to share details of his experience and was inundated with messages of support.Since then neighbours on his street have hung more than 30 rainbow flags from their homes in a display of solidarity.Alex says he has been overwhelmed by the support.“Everyone has just been really supportive from the start,” he said.Alex says the support shows LGBT+ people that they are not alone.