Lady Gaga has criticised the Westboro Baptist Church after they staged a protest outside her concert on Saturday (July 17).

Members of the Kansas-based independent church, which is anti-gay, held placards as fans arrived at the Scottrade Center in St Louis.

Their signs included messages that claimed Lady Gaga was immoral, reports KSDK.

Before the show, Lady Gaga posted a message on Facebook telling fans not to be provoked by the protest.

The singer said the protesters were “hate criminals” and that the church preached “using lewd and violent language and imagery that I wish I protect you all from”.

She added: “Their message is of hatred and divisiveness, but inside at the Monsterball we preach love and unity."

Despite Lady Gaga's request, many of her fans arrived with placards with their own messages, including one that said: "God Hates Figs".

The Westboro Baptist Church has previously released spoof versions of Lady Gaga's songs, including one that claimed she was destined to burn in hell.

The church also caused controversy in May when it staged a protest outside the funeral of Black Sabbath singer Ronnie James Dio.

(by Jason Gregory)