Thousands line streets for Manchester Pride parade

More than 100 floats and groups took part

Thousands of people took to the streets of Manchester to watch the annual Pride parade.

The event - which is celebrating its 20th anniversary - saw more than 100 groups and floats make their way through the city centre.

Award-winning actor Sir Ian McKellen is Grand Marshal of the 2010 parade and led the procession through the streets.

Despite heavy rain showers people lined the route and organiser Jackie Crozier described the turnout as "fantastic".

She said: "We're absolutely delighted with the amount of people who have turned out and also the people that have put so much effort into their parade entries - it's just fantastic."

Starting on Deansgate, the parade travelled up the city's main shopping street before snaking through St Anne's Square, past Albert Square and finishing at the Gay Village.

The parade is part of the annual Pride festival, which stages events in and around the Gay Village throughout the bank holiday weekend.

It raises money for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organisations and groups across Greater Manchester.