Rainbows galore are decorating the city for today's Norwich Pride event which has filled the streets with fun and friendship.

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Thousands of people of all ages have turned out to enjoy the event which is a celebration of the LGBT+ community for everyone.

The city was awash with a kaleidoscope of colour as the centrepiece event - the Pride parade - weaved its way from outside City Hall to Chapelfield Gardens via London Street, Gentleman's Walk and Theatre Street.

Waving flags and dressed in garlands of flowers and all the colours of the rainbow, an array of groups and individuals joined in the fun.

Many had donned elaborate costumes for the occasion, with a peacock, Cinderella and even Mary Poppins and Bert among those who could be spotted among the crowds. They were also joined by members of the emergency services, with a specially decorated police car and a fire engine forming part of the parade.

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Gareth Douce, one of the Norwich Pride organisers, said he was delighted with the turn-out and thanked everyone involved in putting on the event.

He said: 'Every year Norwich Pride gets bigger, with more and more people attending and enjoying the event, and that is good news for Norwich Pride 10 next year which is going to be huge - planning has already started!

'Norwich Pride is a really important event to show how the city joins together and supports everyone else.

'We have not just had LGBT+ people here but our straight allies as well, and everyone really enjoyed Norwich Pride. It's good for breaking down barriers and showing we stand together.'

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Emilie Knight, 38, and Kerrie Smith, 46, from Spixworth, dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert for the Parade.

Kerrie said: 'We came to the parade because we wanted to celebrate who we are. It was an amazing turn-out, absolutely astounding.'

Emilie added: 'The parade seems to get bigger every year and everyone is very welcoming.'

Penny Miracle, 29, and Laura Mills, 34, both from Norwich, walked the parade on stilts as part of the Flaunt float.

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Penny said: 'It was nice to see young people, children and families and everybody here together, and show our support to the LGBT+ community. It's about celebrating love, and everybody should celebrate love.'

Lee Angell, landlord of The Castle pub, was with his mum Sue Tobin - whose dogs Betty and Bandit were decorated with rainbow garlands - and Danny Thurston and Adam Saunders.

Lee said: 'The parade was really good and seemed busier than previous years. There was a good atmosphere.'

As well as the parade, there has also been lots of events outside The Forum and a big brightly-coloured party in Chapelfield Gardens is taking place throughout the afternoon and into the evening today.

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Groups across Norwich have also been showing their support by flying the Pride flag high. Norwich Castle, City Hall and County Hall are among the places displaying the flag along with many other shops and businesses, meanwhile the city's Park and Ride buses are also displaying multicoloured numbers.

For more information about Norwich Pride, visit www.norwichpride.org.uk

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Thousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick ButcherThousands of people march through the city centre to celebrate Norwich Pride. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)