Thousands of people have attended Bristol Pride despite the heat, with temperatures reaching more than 30C.

People gathered at Castle Park before the march through the city, ahead of a festival on The Downs which continues into the evening.

Director of the event, Daryn Carter MBE, said last year they had 25,000 on the march and 40,000 on The Downs.

“It has grown massively,” he said, “We’re one of the largest prides in the UK, one of the biggest events to take place in Bristol.”

One person holds a huge rainbow umbrella and smiles into the camera. They are wearing large sunglasses and a sparkly red dress. Behind are lots of people in the park, some with flags, and trees behind them

There was no shortage of colour as people gathered at Castle Park before the march [BBC]

It is the 16th Pride Mr Carter has delivered in Bristol, and he said it was one of their busiest years ever, with an “incredible” atmosphere.

While people could be seen piling on the suncream, he added: “We’ve had a bit of rain in previous years, so it’s really nice to have the sun out.

“Bristol’s always better in the sunshine.”

A shot taken looking underneath an enormous, parachute-sized Pride flag, looking down the parade at lots of people walking with smaller flags

The walking parade was two miles long [PA Media]

A shot of lots of people in a park with rainbow gear - focus on a woman holding a large rainbow umbrella to shade herself with a colourful headband too

The heat did not deter the crowds from turning out to watch the event [PA Media]

Mr Carter explained that he works on it year-round, but volunteers pull it altogether on the day itself.

“Bristol is unique – we are a musical city, we are a festival city. Everyone gets behind us and becomes part of it,” he said.

Three attendees smile at the camera. All wearing colourful outfits and holding fans in the heat. Two have facepaint, two have hats, including a rainbow one

Pride is one of Bristol’s biggest events [BBC]

Shot looking between two flags down a city road with people walking in the march - very much dressed for the heat in shorts

The parade is walking only, no floats or vehicles, for safety and to keep emissions down [PA Media]

The festival featured several different stages, tents and areas.

A sensory calm space was also included, aimed at autistic people and run by the charity Diverse UK.

A large crowd in a park with rainbow flags and other accessories. A disco ball on a stick can be seen held up by one attendee

Spot the disco ball [BBC]

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