A RALLY by pro-rape activists has been cancelled amid safety fears.

Followers of "pick up artist" Roosh V were set to meet in Newcastle on Saturday night.

However, after drawing widespread condemnation for his anti-feministic views, he has announced that this weekend's meet-up would be cancelled.

He wrote on his blog: "I can no longer guarantee the safety or privacy of the men who want to attend on February 6, especially since most of the meetups can not be made private in time.

"While I can’t stop men who want to continue meeting in private groups, there will be no official Return Of Kings meetups. The listing page has been scrubbed of all locations. I apologize to all the supporters who are let down by my decision."

The masculinity campaigner and blogger, whose real name is Daryush Valizadeh, has extreme misogynistic views including campaigning to legalise rape on private property.

Through his anti-feminist followers' website, Return of the Kings, he had organised an international "meet-up" to take place simultaneously in 165 locations in 43 countries - including the one in Newcastle.

Outraged feminists and anti-violence campaigners from across the region had planned to converge on the meet-up point, Grey's Monument in central Newcastle, just before 8pm on Saturday night for a counter-protest.

Several groups were expected to protest, but the main meet-up was organised by Tyneside-based feminist Roweena Russell.

She said: "I am sick to my chops of hearing that we don't need feminism, that we have got equality, when you have an international event organised by a man who promotes rape and describes himself as a pick up artist.

"Whatever happens this event can be used to raise awareness of the fact that feminism is still necessary.

"On Saturday night - bizarrely - this man's followers have been told to go to Grey's Monument and ask where the pet shop is so that they will be given the details of the meet up in a secret location. But we will be there waiting for them, dressed as pets, and make it impossible for them to find out."