Gay Pride Big Weekend kicks off

This is the 18th year that the Gay Pride festival has been held in Manchester

Thousands of revellers from across the globe have descended on Manchester for the city's annual Gay Pride Big Weekend parade.

The parade, which winds its way through the city centre, began at 1400 BST.

The Pride festival, which celebrates its 18th anniversary, is expected to boost the local economy by around £19m.

Celebrities such as Boy George, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Heather Small, lead singer of Manchester group M People, are taking part in the 2008 festival.

Pride chairman Andrew Stokes said: "The last time research was done it was valued that it was worth £17.5m in economic terms, and that was two years ago.

"We would expect it to be more than that. This is one of the city's pillar events."

Up to 300 officers and staff from 16 police forces across the UK are set to take part in the parade, including Cheshire Police's chief constable - and incoming GMP chief - Peter Fahy.

The festival will close on Monday night with the HIV Candlelit Vigil in Sackville Park at 2100 BST.