ASKERS BAKING COMPANY will now only provide birthday and baby-related celebration cakes, according to the firm’s general manager.

On Tuesday a judge found the bakery had discriminated against a gay rights activist by refusing to bake a cake with an image of Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie with the slogan ‘Support Gay Marriage’.

The company was ordered to pay damages of £500 and court costs.

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has brought the case against the bakery on behalf of gay rights activist Gareth Lee.

Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The company has released a statement saying it will “limit the scope” of orders for cakes while it considers a response to the ruling, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

General Manager Daniel McArthur said: “Due to the recent legal developments we have decided to limit our celebration cake range to certain birthday and baby-related celebration cakes while we consider our policy and talk with our lawyers.”