THOUSANDS of people flocked to a city park to celebrate Essex Pride.

The event is an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender in Essex.

The crowds of people gathered in Central Park, Chelmsford over the weekend for the event.

This year’s entertainment included The Sugababes star Mutya Buena, Club Classics Dance Act Livin Joy and Boyband Five.

Other acts included the UK’s top tribute acts to Lady Gaga, Little Mix and Whitney Houston.

Garry Ormes chairman of Essex Pride said: “This weekend was the 13th Essex Pride event.

"It's held for the whole community to join together, and well over 3,500 people came to celebrate equality and diversity.

“This year was special as we celebrated 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

"Pride events have played a huge part in driving equality and helping to change attitudes in society, and here we are 50 years later, laws have changed, and you can now marry someone of the same sex.

“Essex pride is supported by so many organisations, businesses and charites, and the county councils, without them, Essex Pride wouldn’t happen.

"Special thanks should be given, for all the support we received from Essex Police, and also our country fire and rescue service, and in these current difficult times, we thank you and we salute you.

“There was such a great atmosphere, and I have seen how this event benefits people, especially those who maybe questioning their own sexuality, pride helps people to build confidence in themselves.

“This event brings everyone together as one community, regardless of who u love, your age, your race or religious beliefs, whoever you are, and all those that came along, supported the message that hate in any form will never win, only love wins.

"I think its really important to say people living in those times of deep inequality, will have gone to pride events and campaigned for change, so that here we are 50 years later, laws have changed, amd attitudes are continuing to change,  and you can now marry someone of the same sex, so i think for all those people that have ever campaigned, for change and for equality, we owe the freedoms that we now have to them and we are so thankful.

"Essex pride has a lot of support from a lot of people, who were out in the community to show how important equality is to the services, and in these current diffucult times, we thankyou and we salute them."