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Dame Kelly Holmes joins city's Pride celebrations

Robin Davies,in Newcastleand
Evie Lake,North East and Cumbria
News imageAndi Talbot Kelly Holmes standing in a crowd of people on Grey Street, most of who have their hands in the air. She is smiling with her mouth open and is wearing a geometric jacket with the rainbow flag on it. She has short, dyed red hair and is wearing sunglasses. Everyone around her looks to cheering with their mouths open. There are rainbow flags throughout the crowd and the yellow Metro sign can be seen on the left.Andi Talbot
Dame Kelly Holmes attended Newcastle's Pride celebrations

Hundreds of people have taken to the streets to celebrate a city's Pride.

Newcastle was lit up with colourful banners, clothes and flags as people marched and danced their way down Northumberland Street to Grey's Monument.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes was in attendance after officially starting the Newcastle Pride Run in Leazes Park on Friday.

Organised this year by Curious Arts, CEO Phil Douglas said: "What we've seen today is a huge surge from the community and people have really turned up to support."

In May, Douglas said the event was facing financial challenges because of rising costs and reduced sponsorship and Curious Arts fundraised £10,000 to ensure it went ahead.

The celebrations are set to continue with performances from pop star and former Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle, drag acts Danny Beard and Bimini, and 90s pop-dance group Urban Cookie Collective.

News imageRobin Davies/BBC A group of people standing in front of Newcastle's Civic Centre. Three people at the front are holding a handmade banner which reads 'From Newcastle with love' It is red and has rainbows, hearts and lightening bolts stitched onto it. The people holding it are looking down and the people around them are waiting for the march to start. To the right, the corner of a blue, pink and white transgender pride flag is visible.Robin Davies/BBC
The Pride march started at Newcastle Civic Centre
News imageAndi Talbot A man wearing a silver tinsel jacket and a helmet which looks like a disco ball. He is staring into the camera with his hand held out towards it. He is mid-speech with his mouth open and he has a grey beard. People behind him are dancing down Northumberland Street.Andi Talbot
Supporters then made their way down Northumberland Street
News imageAndi Talbot Two women holding a black and white Newcastle United flag with the rainbow Pride flag interwoven. The woman on the right is siling into the camera and has brown long hair with a full fringe. She is wearing sunglasses and a white t-shirt. The woman on the left is holding a Pride flag and is looking down while she touches her blonde hair.Andi Talbot
Northumberland Street was brightened up with Pride flags
News imageHaydn Brown Four people holding up large magpie puppets above their heads. They are standing in front of Grey's Monument where there is a large crowd of people. The puppet holders are all smiling into the camera. The woman on the left is wearing a pink jumper and has long, blonde hair. To the right is a person with short, dark hair and is wearing a denim jumpsuit. To the right is a man with short, brown hair who is wearing a white and blue sports jacket. On the right is a woman with her brown hair tied back and who is wearing a blue patterned shirt.Haydn Brown
Celebrations culminated at Grey's Monument

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