RAINBOW flags brought traffic to a halt in Dorchester at the Love Parade with hundreds of people turning out to cheer on the procession.

People taking part in the town’s annual Gay Pride event marched down South Street and Weymouth Avenue to kickstart live music and entertainment at Maumbury Rings.

Leading the parade was Mx Philippa-Paul Jones, of Wimborne.

She said: “It was fantastic, the streets were lined with people clapping and cheering.”

Lizzy ‘the fire lizard’ Weymouth, from Yeovil, took part in the parade on stilts.

She said: “The atmosphere was just brilliant.

“I’m a fire entertainer by trade and it’s great to come and take part in something like this.”

Shane Sullovan from Bournemouth came dressed as his drag alter-ego Shanice.

He said: "This is the first time I've been to the Dorchester event and I really enjoyed it.

"It's great fun."

Organiser Chris Kendrick, of Cafe Jagos, said: “This is the fifth year we’ve put this event on and it gets bigger and better each time.

“There’s so much going on – the parade, music, comedy, information stands.”

He added: “It’s a great event to get everyone out and celebrating diversity.”

Secretary of the organising committee Amanda Shaft added: "It's nice to see everyone out enjoying themselves and it's great to see so much support from everyone."