More than 5,000 people are expected to join a Canterbury Pride gay parade in June if the event gets the green light as expected.

Organisers are planning a colourful procession from the Dane John Gardens, through the city centre and into the Westgate Gardens.

Last year a similar parade was proposed but instead took place in Margate amid claims the previous city council administration was not supportive.

Now supporters believe the new council is much more agreeable to the idea and a team of organisers is already holding discussions.

Cllr Oliver Fawcett is among the gay members who sit on the council and is also part of the group promoting the parade.

He said: “The idea is to put on something different which would demonstrate that Canterbury, although steeped in history, is a modern, tolerant, forward-looking city.

“It is early in the planning stages but the council leader is already supportive and there seems to be a very positive reaction to the parade.

“We want it to be a family-friendly occasion, because many gay, bisexual and transgender people have children.

“But straight people will be very welcome to join in as well.”

Helping steer the parade is Edd Withers, who runs the Canterbury Residents Group Facebook forum.

He is suggesting Saturday, June 11, as a potential date as it does not clash with other events and would mean the city’s students could also get involved.

He said: “We are in informal talks, which are going well, and are inviting anyone to come on board who has expertise and skills to offer the event.”

One of those is Toni Butcher, who runs the city’s only dedicated gay bar, Limes, and has considerable experience in organising similar events, including Margate’s first gay pride parade last year.

He said: “In the past, the powers that be in Canterbury haven’t exactly been supportive, but fortunately attitudes have changed and there is much more acceptance, which is fantastic.

“We have a huge following on Facebook and already there are people getting excited about it and thinking up ideas for their costumes.

“People will come from far and wide because Canterbury is an iconic place and I would not be surprised if it attracts more than 5,000, which has to be good for business in the city too.”

The city council’s assistant director of direct services, Larissa Reed (pictured), said: “Organisers have been in touch with us about running a Pride event in Canterbury this year.

“Nothing has been fixed yet, but a meeting between our events team and the organisers will be taking place shortly.

“Our approach is to encourage the use of open space and the highway for public events across the district and to ensure they are run safely and responsibly, so we are looking forward to discussing Pride’s plans.”