Reading Pride: Thousands attend this year's parade and festival

Reading celebrated its largest Pride parade and festival which was attended by more than 13,000

Thousands of people attended Reading Pride parade and festival this year.

On Saturday, thousands took part in the parade which started at Reading Station, travelled through Oracle and Riverside to King's Meadow.

Acts that performed at the park included Girls' Aloud singer Nadine Coyle, 'Mickey'-singer, Lolly and RuPaul's Drag Race UK's Sum Ting Wong.

Across the day, Reading Pride told the BBC that more than 13,000 attended making it their largest event.

There were three stages for cabaret and musical acts as well as a family area and a community hub.

The parade walked from Reading Station through Oracle and Riverside to King's Meadow

Proud Royals, the Reading FC LGBT+ supporters group, were in attendance at the parade

Nearly 70 people volunteered on the day to run the event, according to Reading Pride

"Pride is a mix of celebration and activism," Tom Price from Reading Pride said..

"We need to remember that the parade originally was a protest but then it ends with a celebration of inclusion."

"We're all doing it for the cause, that's why we all commit our time to it," he added.

Girls' Aloud singer Nadine Coyle was the headline performer on the Unite 'Jan Bastable' Stage

Sum Ting Wong, who appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, performed on the Pride Xtra stage

Local alt-rock band Elucidate performed on the Pride aLive stage, which hosted acoustic sets.

"We've never done an acoustic set before but it's been really fun," guitarist Caleb Paice said.

The band had not been to a Pride event before but said they were heavily involved in the LGBTQ+ community.

"It's a good time to go out and show love," Caleb said.

Elucidate musicians Caleb Paice (left) and Theo Bostock had never been to a Pride celebration before