Devon town to get first permanent rainbow zebra crossing in UK

Sometimes black and white is just so 2014.

The organisers of the recent pride event in the town of Totnes in south Devon certainly think so.

After the success of having a temporary rainbow-coloured zebra crossing painted on the road last year, the town looks set to make it permanent.

Campaigner Mat Price has told Newsbeat that the colours are a symbol of pride for LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) communities.

He founded Proud2be, a local LGBT organisation in south Devon.

"The proposal has been approved by the town council, to give to Devon County Council for their approval," he says.

"What we are looking for is a legitimate zebra crossing on a key walking route where an additional crossing point would improve safety.

"It would act as a zebra crossing but be rainbow coloured."

A temporary version of the crossing was used at the town's last pride event

If you think that sounds unusual you'd be right.

Tel Aviv, Sydney, Utrecht, Oslo, Stockholm, Brighton and London have all had temporary rainbow zebra crossings but they were all removed.

There are permanent ones in Vancouver and West Hollywood.

"For us it's about raising awareness in a rural area of the country like Devon, but to also send out a message to not just Totnes but the world, that Totnes embraces and celebrates diversity.

"It also stands with LGBT people all around the world who are facing discrimination and injustice."

The idea has a lot of support from local politicians as well.

"I think it would just be a case for them (Devon County Council) deciding if it's a legitimate proposal and if it's going to be safe, so we'll be in discussions about that.

"The majority of responses we're getting, are overwhelmingly supportive, and I'm really, really hopeful we'll get support."

While the south-west of England isn't well known for its large gay communities, Mat says he feels the rainbow crossing could become a beacon.

"We've put on pride events and we get a thousand people turning up each year.

"There is quite a large community [but] quite often they are hidden."

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