Gravesend's first ever Pride parade took place at the weekend as hundreds of people marched the streets with flags, music and whistles.

It was organised by Gravesham Pride CIC and was the third annual event since it started back in 2020, but the first parade through town. Around 300 people joined the procession with a further 1,700 people attending the musical celebrations afterwards in Fort Gardens.

The march started at Community Square with speeches from local leaders and five Pride flags were raised.

It then proceeded down the High Street and Crooked Lane ending up at Fort Gardens. The march was applauded by onlookers along the route and welcomed as it went through the town centre.

The main event saw X Factor star Stevi Ritchie, Netflix's Heartstopper actor Robbie White, Dancing Dames, Kings of Dhol and other acts perform on the main stage.

There were also stalls run by local businesses, charities and organisations as well as food and drink concessions.

A spokesman for Gravesham Pride CIC said: "Locality Prides such as Gravesham exist to show the LGBTQIA+ community that you do not need to run away to find acceptance. There are people just like you right here on your doorstep and there are support services available in your area.

"They are free meaning that they are open to all and they encourage education about the LGBTQIA+ people to those who are not part of the community and the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in the wider community without fear.

"Lots of people have said to us 'you are aware that you are competing with Margate Pride because you are held on the same date?' However, they are missing the point of these events.

"We are absolutely not in competition with each other. Pride events are not about attendance numbers or money, they are about spreading our messages of love, support, encouragement and community cohesion in our local areas."

The celebrations were produced by the volunteers that make up the Gravesham Pride Committee working alongside local community partners including Cohesion Plus.

Artistic director of Cohesion Plus Gurvinder Sandher said: "I am so proud of what was achieved on Saturday with the Pride celebrations.

"This is the third year of Gravesham Pride and it will only get bigger and better. The response from members of the public as the march went through the town centre was really touching and underlines our message of there being more that unites than divides and that we are stronger as a borough when we all come together."

Clinical administrative assistant at ellenor Hospice Sam Fry was among those who attended Saturday's festivities. He spoke last week about how his first Pride felt.

He said: "What can I say? It was a day full of love, acceptance and electricity. Seeing the LGBTQ+ community come out and celebrate this magnificent event was astonishing.

"The celebration, the joy, it was a day I will never forget. Being part of such an inspiring event was a real pleasure. I could not be happier to see everyone unite for what was such an amazing day.

"I look forward to next year and what that will bring. One thing I do know, I could not be prouder of who I am. Thank you Gravesham Pride, it truly was a remarkable day."

Gravesham Pride organised an event in 2020 which was cancelled due to the pandemic, so the group put on a virtual gathering instead.

In 2021, the first physical Pride took place but was limited to 500 attendees because of Covid-19.

This year's free event took place on Saturday at Fort Gardens, Gravesend.