Bournemouth ready for gay pride

Bournemouth is gearing up for its annual gay pride celebrations which will run throughout the weekend.

The three-day Bourne Free event will begin on Friday featuring live entertainment and events.

A colourful parade with a circus theme will march through the town centre on Saturday from Meyrick Park at 1300 BST.

There will also be live music from Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton and singer Kelly Llorenna, and on Sunday an outdoor family fun day will take place.

Bourne Free was launched by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community in 2002 in the town's Lower Gardens.

Organisers said that the event was held to celebrate the community after a far right organisation said it was planning to visit Bournemouth to preach against homosexuality.