Christian bakers found to have discriminated against a gay man by refusing to make a cake bearing a pro-gay marriage slogan have lost their appeal against the ruling.

The owners of Belfast-based Ashers declined an order placed by gay activist Gareth Lee to make a 'gay cake', claiming the message was inconsistent with their deeply held religious beliefs.

Last year, they were found to have breached equality legislation following a high-profile court case in Belfast.

The appeal was heard before three senior judges at Belfast's Court of Appeal in May, with the reserved judgment delivered on Monday morning.

Mr Lee, a member of the LGBT advocacy group Queer Space, had wanted a cake featuring Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie with the phrase "Support Gay Marriage" for a private function marking International Day Against Homophobia.

He paid the £36.50 cost in full at Ashers' Belfast city centre branch but was telephoned two days later and told the company could not fulfil his order.

Through the legal proceedings, Daniel McArthur, the company's general manager, insisted Mr Lee's sexuality was never an issue, rather the message he wanted the bakery to create.

Mr Lee claimed the episode left him feeling like a lesser person.

In the original case, District Judge Isobel Brownlie ruled that religious beliefs could not dictate the law and ordered the firm to pay damages of £500.

Ashers, a name with Biblical connotations, has six branches, employs more than 80 people and delivers across the UK and Ireland.

Throughout the legal battle they have been supported by The Christian Institute, which has organised public rallies and garnered financial backing for the case.

Mr Lee's case was taken in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Equality Commission.