Cathedral city to be covered in pride flags for first pride parade

Chichester is to be adorned in pride flags as its LGBT+ festival takes to the streets for the first time.

Hundreds of people will parade through the old roads of the city later this month.

The Chichester Business Improvement District says the city will be covered in rainbow flags for May and June to ring in the event in a "display of inclusivity".

Read more: Brighton Pride festival line-up announced

It is the third time a Pride event has been hosted in the city - but will mark the first time they have paraded through Chichester's streets.

Hair stylist Melissa Hamilton founded the event in 2022 along with her friend Dawn Gracie. Melissa came out as gay aged 15 and transgender at 33.

She told PA at the time: "For me, Chichester Pride is about educating and doing stuff throughout the year. It’s about how we can work together as a city.

“I just want to get Chichester caught up with everyone else, we’re in this fundamental stage of making connections and being visible."

Chichester Cathedral (Image: West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service)

The parade will start in Priory Park at 10am on Sunday, May 25, winding through the city's shopping streets and finishing in West Street in front of the Cathedral just after 11am.

Speeches will take place on the green in front of Chichester College throughout the day.

It comes three months before the main event in Brighton in August, which takes over the city with a huge festival celebrating LGBT+ culture.