Norwich city centre came to a standstill yesterday afternoon as the annual Norwich Pride parade entertained thousands of people with some carnival spirit.

Eastern Daily Press: The Norwich Pride parade. Picture: Denise BradleyThe Norwich Pride parade. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: copyright: Archant 2013)

Around 2,000 people were taking part in the parade, which is the highlight of a week of events around Norwich to celebrate the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi and trans) community and raise awareness of equality.

Eastern Daily Press: The Norwich Pride parade. The 50 metre long rainbow flag from Exeter Pride. Picture: Denise BradleyThe Norwich Pride parade. The 50 metre long rainbow flag from Exeter Pride. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: copyright: Archant 2013)

The Pride Picnic had gathered thousands of people in Chapelfield Gardens for entertainment and fun between midday and 2pm.

Town crier David Bullock then introduced Lord Mayor of Norwich, Keith Driver, who addressed the crowd before officially getting the parade under way.

The parade was due to start at 2pm but the huge turnout delayed the parade starting until 2.15pm, turning away from Chapelfield Gardens and down Theatre Street, led by the Norwich Samba Band.

The parade then danced its way along Gentlemans Walk and up Gaol Hill to the front of City Hall, where the lord mayor once again greeted the parade from his balcony, with the rainbow Pride flag flying from the roof of City Hall.

Norwich Castle and several shops and pubs also got into the spirit by flying a rainbow flag.

There was also a special addition to the parade this year as a giant 50-metre rainbow flag had been brought to the parade from Exeter Pride - see a video of the flag via the link at the top-right of this page.

- Watch a video of the parade above and see Monday's Norwich Evening News and Eastern Daily Press for full coverage of Norwich Pride 2013.

- Share your photos and video with us at www.iwitness24.co.uk and we will publish photo galleries and videos on www.eveningnews24.co.uk and www.edp24.co.uk