A parade took over the town centre on Saturday on the return of Oldham Pride for its 20th year.

The participants set off on Ascroft Street after 12pm on the way to a party at Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Among them were the organisers including chair and councillor Louie Hamblett, as well as a number of other organisations, all of whom were taken through the town centre behind PCS Samba Band and the Pink Owl.

On arrival at the party there were speeches by Cllr Hamblett and the deputy mayor Eddie Moores ahead of a packed programme presented by the Drag Queen Angela Bra and the presenter and podcaster Matt Dean.

(Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Hamblett said: "This used to be outside Oldham Library but we've gone from strength to strength. 

"I've had a look at what has happened in the last 20 years and all of the changes for us as a community from the [Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act] to trans rights. All of this in such a short time means so much to us. 

"We need to be able to put ourselves out there to say we are still here, we are still queer, so get used to it. 

"Pride started as a protest and it still is a protest. It reminds people of what we are, who we are, and we need to be able to tell people we have an identity."

(Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Moores said: "I would like to thank the organisers over the last 20 years. 

"This is an inclusive event, it is for everyone to celebrate a certain community, the LGBTQ+ community."

On the packed programme were the Rhodes Bank Choir, the RF Dance Group and singers such as Gabrielle Gee, Reece Bennett, Samm Hewitt, Niall Barnes and Nicole Green.

Oldham Pride is on for the rest of the weekend with a market and music at Billingtons Cafe, on Ascroft Street, and a service at Oldham Parish Church, on Rock Street, on Sunday.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.