Pride has returned to Canterbury this weekend with a technicolour parade and celebrated acts drawing tens of thousands of visitors.

The LGBTQ+ festival is in full swing featuring a star-studded line-up including Ru Paul’s Drag UK contestant Danny Beard and Bad Education’s Layton Williams.

Pictures show revellers rejoicing in the city under the sweltering sun on one of the hottest days of the year.

Costing £250,000 to put on, festival organisers expect to attract 10,000 more attendees than 2022, with the celebration held over two days, taking over two city centre car parks to accommodate its growing popularity.

The celebrations kicked off at 11am today with a rainbow-laden march through Canterbury high street.

Attendees lined the street and cheered the 750m long procession to the backdrop of live music.

The Pride fun will then continue at the Dane John Gardens, where festivities are set to run until 8pm on Saturday and 7pm on Sunday.

This year, the scope of the event has been extended to include the Watling Street and Castle Row car parks, which will be home to a so-called “secret garden” area, a range of food and drink vendors and a new stage for DJs.

From 10pm, the official Pride after-party is taking place at University of Kent’s campus nightclub The Venue in association with the hugely popular LGBTQ+ club night Glitterbomb.

Those burning the midnight oil will be able to witness reality star and Queen of Clean Kim Woodburn keeping the party going late into the night.

Canterbury Pride’s main stage will also be broadcast live on kmfm with presenter Rob Wills, as he hosts Floorfiller Anthems.