THOUSANDS of people are expected to bring a splash of colour and excitement to Middlesbrough town centre when a festival celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community makes a return.

Middlesbrough Community Pride will be back with a bang on Saturday, September 27 when it will share the limelight with Middlesbrough Live’s festival of music and comedy in venues across the town centre.

After face-painting and drumming workshops from 10.30am in mima, the festival really kicks off at midday when the local LGBT community unites for a colourful parade.

Fronting the parade will be several leading drag acts who will then star in a free five-hour open-air concert at Community Pride’s new Centre Square location.

Daisy Diamond, who also performed at last year’s show, said: “It’s so important for the LGBT community that Community Pride is back again. My message to everyone is to come along and enjoy the fun.”

Community Pride chairman Danni Gibson said: “We want the whole community, not just those with an LGBT background, to join us for a real party festival.

“Last year’s event was a huge success, with more than 5,000 attending, but we’re hoping for even more this year.

“We hope that our new Centre Square location will provide the ideal environment for those who have recently come out and may have felt intimidated by last year’s town centre location.”

For more information, visit middlesbroughcommunitypride.com