A CELEBRATION of lesbian, bi - sexual, gay and trans culture is being held in Colchester for the first time.

Volunteers and staff at charity Outhouse East are organising the town’s first ever Pride event at Firstsite next month.

Tess Brooks, who works for the charity, said she wanted to put on a unique event different to other Pride events in the area.

She said: “We just thought it was about time and being the charity in the area which aims to support the community we wanted to take the lead.

“As a charity we have been attending Essex Pride in Chelmsford and it is a great event. We don’t want to replicate it – we want ours to be different and have more of a community feel.

“There really is going to be lots going on throughout the day.

“Firstsite have been really great in supporting us in what we want to do and we have had really good support from the community.

“People seem to be really wanting this to happen and for it to work.

“We can never have enough volunteers and we still have space for a few stalls.”

Some of the entertainment on offer will include a range of live bands performing throughout the day, a Harry Potter discussion where visitors can brew their own love potions and find out which house they belong in and cars provided by the Gay Classic Car Group.

There will also be film screenings, chalk painting sessions and other workshops.

Tess said despite Colchester being a welcoming town lots of people still need support because of issues which come due to sexuality.

She said: “We are still very busy as a charity and things are not 100 per cent right.

“People still ask us how to deal with things like hate crime.

“They still have difficulties and need support with issues which arise from their sexuality.”

Youngsters are welcome to the event on Saturday, August 19 at Firstsite until 6pm.

Entry is cash only and £3 for adults before 3pm and £5 after.

Juniors aged between 11 and 17 can enter for £1 before 3pm and £2 afterwards, while entry for children is free.

For more details visit outhouseeast.org.uk/colchester-pride.