Well over a thousand people took to the streets to dance, sing and spread love at West Norfolk's first ever Pride parade in King's Lynn.

The Tuesday Market Place was a riot of colour as men, women and children of all ages- and their pets - gathered in preparation for the parade at 1pm.

Revellers with glittered faces, vibrant outfits and colourful wigs waved rainbow flags and danced to YMCA as a warm up before the march.

Jo Rust, a member of King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride, who had organised the event, gave an empowering speech on the history of Pride.

Eastern Daily Press: King John getting a makeover at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: John HocknellKing John getting a makeover at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: John Hocknell (Image: John Hocknell)

Speaking on stage, she said: 'I want you all to remember that Pride is political - we wouldn't be here to celebrate if it wasn't for the hard work that others have had to put in before us.

'We have to remember that the first Pride wasn't a parade it was a riot in response to a police raid on a gay bar, we are lucky we have come so far.

'We will continue to fight until we have full equality, until every single LGBT person can walk down the street without fear, harassment or discrimination.'

Eastern Daily Press: Lisa H and Rebecca Walton at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliLisa H and Rebecca Walton at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

The parade set off from the market place and through the town, where passers-by roared their support and shop windows were decorated with rainbow displays.

Norfolk Police were on hand to escort the crowds safely to The Walks, where the celebration continued with stalls, music, food and drinks in the sunshine.

One officer seen dancing with the crowds was Inspector Lou Provart, along with volunteer police cadets and Norfolk Police equality and diversity manager Julie Inns.

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Police equality and diversity manager Julie Inns at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliNorfolk Police equality and diversity manager Julie Inns at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Insp Lou Provart said: 'This is a fantastic turn out for King's Lynn, this sends the right message to people in Norfolk - that LGBT hate crime will not be tolerated, we all stand together.'

Ms Inns added: 'I'm just absolutely amazed by the community and the people of King's Lynn, the sheer amount of people in town just shows this was needed and it will continue to grow.'

Pride organiser Francis Bone said plans are already underway for next year's Pride event, adding: 'It is overwhelming, we didn't expect so many people.

Eastern Daily Press: Niamph enjoying herself at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliNiamph enjoying herself at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

'It is amazing, I have cried three times today, we have had such a positive response.'

Eastern Daily Press: Laura Bunting, Kristen Hanks and Caitlyn Farr at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliLaura Bunting, Kristen Hanks and Caitlyn Farr at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Perdi Gauntley and April Follen, of Just Essentials, at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliPerdi Gauntley and April Follen, of Just Essentials, at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Juliet Holywood and Rebecca Mather at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliJuliet Holywood and Rebecca Mather at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Police Inspector Lou Provart with police cadets at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliNorfolk Police Inspector Lou Provart with police cadets at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Police Inspector Lou Provart and the police cadets at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliNorfolk Police Inspector Lou Provart and the police cadets at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Robert Harrod and Andrew Billington at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliRobert Harrod and Andrew Billington at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Carla Fox and Theodore Fox at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliCarla Fox and Theodore Fox at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Kathleen Harrod, Robert Harrod, Katie Haydn-Slater, Kate Green and Andrew Billington at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliKathleen Harrod, Robert Harrod, Katie Haydn-Slater, Kate Green and Andrew Billington at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Gary Shew and Sadie Bowen with Kaiser at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliGary Shew and Sadie Bowen with Kaiser at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Staff from CGL Norfolk at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliStaff from CGL Norfolk at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride celebrations continued in The Walks. Picture: Taz AliThe King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride celebrations continued in The Walks. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The Tuesday Market Place in King's Lynn is a riot of colour at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliThe Tuesday Market Place in King's Lynn is a riot of colour at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Clare Bass and Niamph at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz AliClare Bass and Niamph at King's Lynn and West Norfolk Pride 2018. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds gather in the Tuesday Market Place in King's Lynn ahead of the Pride parade. Picture: Taz AliCrowds gather in the Tuesday Market Place in King's Lynn ahead of the Pride parade. Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: King's Lynn police station fliying the rainbow flag for the town's first ever Pride parade Picture: Taz AliKing's Lynn police station fliying the rainbow flag for the town's first ever Pride parade Picture: Taz Ali (Image: Archant)