Hundreds joined together for a jubilant celebration of acceptance in the county, to mark the 10th anniversary of Cumbria Pride.

The international movement designed to promote greater visibility and acceptance of the full range of sexual and gender identities first came to Cumbria in 2009.

Returning with an infectiously joyful atmosphere this weekend, the Saturday event kicked off with a carnival-style procession towards Carlisle Castle via the city centre.

Young and old, individuals and organisations all took part in the parade, masterminded by Cumbria Pride organisers Pam Eland and Martin Reeves and their team.

Perhaps the most eye-catching feature of the parade was a specially painted fire engine, which spurred the parade on by blaring energetic music.

The parade culminated in a concert, held in the grounds of Carlisle castle.

Headlined by actor and singer Heather Peace, most famous for starring roles in TV dramas like Waterloo Road and London’s Burning, she was joined on the lineup by a host of performers including 2000 UK number one vocalist Sonique.

Sam Beard, who took part in the parade along with her partner Adam and their children Paige, Adam and Zach, said the purpose behind Pride could be summed up simply with the words: “be who you are”.

“I just think that it’s a wonderful thing to do,” Sam said.

“Everybody should celebrate the fact that they are who they are.”

Sam has also been to one of the country’s most famous Pride parades, held each year in Brighton on the south coast of England.

She said Cumbria Pride is much smaller - Brighton’s parade attracts close to half a million people each year - but nevertheless has a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere.

“It’s so good, it feels like an up-and-coming place to be,” she said.

“It’s good that we are doing something here now. It wasn’t long ago that we weren’t doing anything for Pride here.

“I’m glad that the times are moving forward, that people are more accepting in Carlisle.”

Pride parades first began in the early 1970s, in response to the now infamous Stonewall riots in New York after a police raid in 1969.

Intertwined with the late 20th century gay rights movements, Pride parades are seen today as both a celebration of society’s acceptance and a reminder that there is still progress to be made.