BOLTON Pride Parade was kaleidoscope of colour as it whirled through the streets of the town signalling the start of the second day of the three day festival celebrating the borough’s LGBT community.

More than 350 people and organisations joined the vibrant parade to walk and dance through the streets bringing the party which, started last night, to Victoria Square.

The festival, which is now its second year, hosted its first Love Bolton Hate Homophobia parade to break down barriers and celebrate diversity and all the people of the town.

Emergency services, organisations including trade unions and the Samaritans as well as Refugees are Welcome Here, dancers and individuals of all ages as they set off from Spa Road, paraded down Deansgate and into Victoria Square where they were greeted by shoppers who stopped to watch and enjoy as well as join in.

Some had travelled from as far as Wales to be part of Bolton Pride and enjoy the festival atmosphere and the concert.

Samantha Leyland, aged 46, from Breightmet said: "The parade has gone really well and the support of people has been fantastic.

"There were a lot of people on the parade considering it is the first year and the atmosphere was mint."

Jenny Williams, aged 56, from Shropshire, added: “It was good to see so many young people who feel they are able to express themselves.

"It is about breaking down barriers and to show people there is nothing to shock and we are all human beings.

"Everyone had had big smiles on their faces."

Claire Morris from Wales added: "I came up especially for Bolton Pride and it is a good day."

Shopper Nicola Copper, aged 38 from Deane, said: "I didn’t know this was happening, I think it is brilliant.

"It is bringing the people of Bolton together."

Mayor of Bolton Cllr Lynda Byrne said: "It's fabulous, it is so colourful."

She said the serious message behind the fun was to reduce hate crime.

Cllr Byrne said: "We are proud that everyone is part of the Bolton Family."

Cllr Nick Peel added: "The parade will keep growing and getting bigger.

"We are moving away from hate and those who express hate will become an endangered species."

Bolton Pride 2016 launched the weekend festival in spectacular style at a glittering awards evening at the Bolton Whites Hotel.

More than 250 people including the Mayor of Bolton gathered on Friday evening for the launch of this year's Bolton Pride and to celebrate those who work hard for the LGBT community.

Five awards were presented which were voted for by the public, with more than 600 people casting their vote and two special awards were handed out recognising the exceptional work done by individuals.

Among them, the Sir Ian McKellen Award was presented to Christine Riley, the landlady of The Star and Garter, who has provided a safe space for members of the LGBT community.

She said: "I'm not often lost for words but am lost for words now.

"This is so unexpected, I feel very honoured.

"We celebrate together and there is always someone to speak to, and that is what he award represents, it is for everybody."

And the Darren Batey Award went to Judith Kramer for her volunteer work at the George House Trust.

She could not be at the awards ceremony but inspired by the award, everyone at the awards evening was urged to give up just an hour a month to volunteer in any organisation of their choice if not more to make a difference.

In a prepared speech, she said: "Volunteering at the George House Trust is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done."

She added that volunteer benefits the volunteer just as much as the people who are being helped.

Other award winners included: Adult Diversity Award Steve Sherry of LGBT + Bolton; Business of the Year, The Venue; Charity/organisation Bolton LGBT+; Outstanding Contribution to the Community Susie Baines from the George House Trust; Youth Diversity Champion Euan Holmes.

Euan, aged 17, who works with LGBT + Bolton, said: "I would like to say thank you to the rest of the committee because I would not have be doing this without them, it's amazing to see how far we have come in 18 months to two years.

"I would like to say thank you for making Bolton a better place for my generation."

He added: "The awards recognise the work everyone is doing, their resilience.

"Bolton Pride is something we want everyone to be involved in, to celebrate the Bolton community together.

"People were with the parade on the Town Hall steps enjoying it and having fun."