Mardi Gras show goes on

The festival is centred on the city's Canal Street

The annual gay, lesbian and bisexual festival in Manchester is back on.

The Mardi Gras had been cancelled after police said drinking on the streets would be restricted.

Organisers decided the plans to allow drinking in only one area of the city's gay village made the festival unworkable.

But on Thursday it was announced the Bank Holiday weekend event, including a parade through the city, would be going ahead.

Gay village

The Mardi Gras began in 1993 and now attracts around 100,000 visitors.

It is organised by businesses in the gay village - an area of bars and restaurants centred around Canal Street.

This year's event was reinstated after talks between the organisers, Greater Manchester Police and the city council.

Drinking will now be allowed on a neighbouring street to ease congestion on Canal Street.