The Corn Exchange was filled with bright colours and loud music for the return of Dorchester’s Pride event.

The event got underway on Sunday.

This year’s Love Parade though South Street on Sunday had to be cancelled due to the wet weather. However, organisers didn’t let the rain dampen their spirits and moved the afternoon of entertainment planned to take place at Maumbury Rings to the town centre.

There was a huge turnout at the Corn Exchange, where visitors were treated to live performances from local bands, drag queens and more.

Chris Jago, who helped organise this year’s event, said: “The party always goes on.

“We’ve had an amazing turnout here today, we don’t know the exact capacity, but it’s heaving.”

He added: “It’s a celebration of diversity and equality that brings together the whole community.”

Mayor of Dorchester Councillor David Taylor also attended the event and said: “This is a special moment for Dorset and Dorchester, we’re celebrating the liberation of the LGBT movement making sure people understand the fact that we are all equal.

“As a married gay man and the Mayor of Dorchester I am pleased to say what a fantastic event this is.”

Whilst music boomed downstairs, local groups gathered upstairs to hand out information and raise awareness.

Among those were Space Youth Project, Breakfree and Weymouth Gay Group.

Helen Walsh project manager of Space Youth Project said: “It’s been wet and soggy but hey ho!

“We’ve been raising money for the Space Project by doing glitter tattoos, bringing lots of colour to a wet Dorchester.

“A lot of people who come here are aware of us, but those who aren’t can come and talk to us or even attend one of our group meetings in the future.”

The group support Dorset’s young people who are or may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or anything in between.

Weymouth Gay Group took the opportunity to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

A spokesman from the group said: “It’s all very informal. We just sit in a corner of a pub and enjoy a chat, food, drink, and a laugh too.”

Adam Johnson who attended the event said: “It’s really important for towns like Dorchester that don’t have a massive gay scene to put on events like this for the local LGBT community.”