CANTERBURY has never seen anything like it.

The city’s first gay pride event on Saturday attracted almost 2,000 to the Dane John Gardens for a Picnic in the Park that was an outing in the outlandish.

The microphone on the central bandstand was variously employed by drag queens, comics and a councillor, a police superintendent, a chorus of gay men, several campaign spokespersons and the oldest member of the EastEnders cast.

The day had begun at midday in the Westgate Gardens. Here, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders, and also straight people, congregated from all over east Kent, from Thanet and from Medway, and even from cities including London, Brighton and Liverpool.

Once present and correct the colourful ensemble took to Canterbury’s High Street for a parade led by a group bearing rainbow flags, the symbol of the gay rights movement.

"Out and proud, gay and loud," they chanted as they headed up through the main street.

Shoppers parted to let them pass, the bemused looks on their faces turning to smiles and waves as, largely, they could not help themselves tapping into the spirit. At the park, a speech by former Lord Mayor and Sheriff Cllr Fred Whitemore officially opened the ceremony.

Speaking on behalf of the Lord Mayor’s civic team and Canterbury City Council, he said: "We hope this will become an annual event and will continue to grow, although if it grows much more we won’t be able to fit it in the Dane John any more.

"As a city we need the vibrancy and energy that gay events can stimulate."

Area police commander Supt Joanna Young welcomed the crowd to Canterbury and said: "Simply being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is not a crime.

"Verbally abusing someone, physically abusing someone or assaulting someone because they are LGBT is a crime. My team and I are committed to dealing with perpetrators of hate crime. We will bring offenders to justice."

Supt Young then urged people to join the force. "I hope you visit our stall where there’s a recruitment section," she said. "Join the police, it’s a great occupation."

The speeches were interspersed with party anthems played through the PA system. The live entertainment got going shortly after 2pm.

International entertainer Lee Tracey, a picture in purple, gave a programme of music, comedy and songs. Rochester gay pub The Ship Inn brought down their finest entertainers and live acts. Hilda Braid, the actress who plays Nana Moon in EastEnders, wished everyone a wonderful day. And the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus were a ray of sunshine on an overcast afternoon.

The music never stopped, business at the food and drink stalls roared and the trade stands remained busy right through to the close of the event at 5pm.

Celia Rumley, who lives in Canterbury, came to the picnic along with husband Paul and their two young children.

She said:"“This is an absolutely fantastic event. It’s terribly important that my children grow up without prejudice and hatred against people who aren’t the same as them. We all live together on this world, we must all get along.

"I hope they put this on every year."