ALL PICTURES BY GAZ DE VERE

HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Southend for the annual pride parade.

Organised by Southend Pride with support from Southend Business Improvement District, the march down the High Street, and celebrations in Warrior Square saw many people in fancy dress and pride flags celebrate the LGBT community.

At the event, Southend Council leader Ian Gilbert said: “It’s been a pleasure to be here at Southend Pride today. This is a joyous festival of everyone’s rights to be who they want to be and to love who they want to love.

“But of course, there’s a serious message as well because there’s still too many people suffer from bigotry, from hatred and intolerance.

“But this is our chance to show people that love will always be stronger than hate, and that love will conquer in the end.”

Sam Adams, the co-chair of Southend Pride and LGBT Officer for Southend West Labour Party, said: “It was an amazing day - the numbers were brilliant.

“We had loads of people here, loads of stalls and we had lots of entertainment all day long until 8pm.

“It’s just amazing that community feeling that we have here.

“And it just makes you proud to be part of Southend and Southend community.

“It’s just an amazing day.”

The parade was the culmination of a full week of celebrations.