A PRIDE event has been given the go ahead to play music following complaints from people living near the venue.

The event in Durham is due to take place on Sunday, May 27 at The Sands, in the city centre.

A licensing committee at Durham County Council approved its application to play music and sell alcohol at the venue at a meeting on Wednesday.

The committee of the annual event celebrating diversity and the LGBT community had faced opposition from people living near The Sands because of noise generated by last year’s event.

It had been claimed that last year’s event had been so loud that it made people’s houses shake – leading to complaints by local councillors and members of St Nicholas’ Community Forum (SNCF).

Following a meeting at County Hall, Durham Pride was granted the licence on the condition that organisers continue to engage with and, where possible, mitigate with local residents.

The organisation has been working with Durham Police to ensure the event is safe with Durham County Council’s environmental health team to manage noise levels.

The committee has pledged to monitor noise levels and is minimising noise pollution where possible.

Volunteers will also be providing a hotline for residents to phone on the day.

Last year was the first time Pride was held at the Sands, after moving to the larger venue from Millennium Place.

Now in the its fifth year, the event started in 2014 with a handful of people and has grown year-on-year, with organisers saying that last year’s event welcomed around 10,000 people.

This year’s parade will set off at around 1pm and will be followed by music at The Sands.

Acts scheduled to play include former X Factor singer Lloyd Daniels, clubland performer Micky Modelle, LOVE INC featuring Simone Denny, Smashby and Tess Tickle and the Dragettes.

There will also be a funfair, which will also be there on Saturday, May 26.

The event takes place between 1pm and 6pm and will be followed by an after party at Klute, in Elvet Bridge.

The licence was granted for playing live music and the supply of alcohol between noon and 7pm and Sunday, May 27.