It was an unmissable display of solidarity that painted Norwich in a rainbow of colours.

Thousands of people brought the city centre's streets to life for the eighth annual Norwich Pride today, a celebration of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community.

The lively procession began at Millennium Plain, outside the Forum, and wound its way to Chapelfield Gardens, where entertainers performed at the Pride Show.

Speaking to the crowds outside city hall, chairman of Norwich Pride Andy Futter said: 'Earlier in the year I stood in the same spot and had to do a speech about the events in Orlando.

'Norwich responded beautifully then and, today, good grief. This is not a whimper. This is a great, big proud yell.'

Lord Mayor of Norwich Marion Maxwell said it was the 'finest Pride in the finest city', while Norwich North MP Chloe Smith said: 'Everyone is welcome here today and that is the spirit of Pride. It is the spirit of the community and it is the spirit of the whole city.'

Fellow MP Clive Lewis added: 'Norwich, I love you. You make me proud. Proud to be the MP for your city. Proud to drape this city in colours of the rainbow.'

Dancing and singing as they went, the march then began, heading down Gentleman's Walk and up Theatre Street before arriving in the gardens, where Norfolk and Suffolk police were launching their new Pride car, which they describe as a 'sign of solidarity and commitment to the region's LGBT+ community'.

Norwich City, Aviva, Norfolk County Council and the University of East Anglia were among those that pledged their support to the event, as well as holiday firm Hoseasons, who said they were 'keen supporters' of the movement.

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