AN ONLINE video of prisoners “enjoying an impromptu Christmas Day rave” has caused outrage.

The clip, believed to have been filmed in HMP Lancaster Farm, North Lancs, by an inmate, has had 500,000 views with nearly 2,000 comments.

One former prison officer said the scenes of cons dancing made him want to "vomit". Other said it reminded them of scenes from "Butlin's".

The clip, believed to have been filmed by a prisoner, has emerged on two Facebook pages so far, one of which said it happened on Christmas Day and both of which identified the same jail.

In the short clip, it shows the prisoners dancing while listening to pounding dance music.

The prisoners, who appear to be on a landing in an open area of the jail, are waving their hands in the air while one is happily dancing in a Santa hat.

They are happily chanting along to the song “Whoomp There It Is” by Tag Team as they party.

Another prisoner is smiling and puts his arms up in the air showing his Hugo Boss jumper before the clip moves over to a con in a grey t-shirt robotically dancing.

The lag in the santa hat attempts a cart wheel before going to the floor to move backwards like a worm.

Meanwhile in the background a two litre bottle of fizzy 'juice' can be seen on a table.

Sam Riley wrote under the Facebook post: “As a retired Prison Officer these scenes make me want to vomit.

"The Governors at the Farms should hang their heads in shame. Total disgrace.”

Phil Kuczer added: “Looks like f*****g Butlin's not prison. Absolutely shocking.”

Nathan Sweeney wrote: “It’s a prison. Not a playhouse. No wonder people aren’t a***d if they get sent down any more.

“Let’s not blame mental health now for f**k sake. That words get thrown about to much these days. Absolute joke if you think they should have the right to party like that. They need a good hiding.”

Shaun Nixon posted: “Criminals getting a bed and Christmas dinner whilst ex- servicemen and women are homeless for Christmas. Absolute joke.”

Simon Gaskell said: “Tax payers money well spent again I see. What a joke this country is.”

A Prison Service spokewoman said: "“This behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We have recruited an extra 3,500 prison officers over the last two years and are investing an additional £40 million in safety and security.

“Anyone found with a mobile phone faces extra time behind bars and we are spending £2 million to detect and block them from being used.”