RECORD numbers turned out for this year's Worcestershire Pride which took place in the city.

An estimate 1000 members of the public took to the streets in celebration and support for the LGBT community, many in vibrant costumes.

Mathew Skilbeck Vice chairman of Worcestershire Pride said: "Yesterday I was proud to see the joy people took from Worcestershire Pride. "Watching things come together put a smile on my face as companies, community organisations, acts and the public came to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride in a positive, peaceful manner.

"The day's activities were the culmination of a lot of work by many hands, not just by the committee, but also by friends and allies within the community 50 years after the events of Stonewall in New York.

"Organising things has not been easy, we had to work harder this year to raise funds and several of the committee members have had lots to deal with on top of our pride commitments.

"However hard it was for us, it was a shadow of difficulties faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community in the face of hate, even in recent times.

"Over the last year or so we have seen attacks and murders of members of our community and hate mail sent out to our supporters.

"This is why we need the support of everyone so that the LGBTQ+ community can just be who they are without fear or shame. That is what Pride is all about."

Readers have reacted to the event on the Worcester News Facebook page.

Betty Mellors said: "A great day."

John Gardner said: "I'm looking forward to Evesham pride next year."

John Hastings said: "Congratulations to all for a fabulous day."

The first Worcestershire Pride was held in the city in 2017.

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The event started in South Quay and supporters walked through the city centre to The Cornmarket and this year it celebrated the birth of the LGBT+ liberation movement, following the riots of 1969 in New York.

The main stage will be modelled on Broadway, market stalls will represent Fifth Avenue and there’ll be carnival games à la Coney Island.