Disco music beat from loudspeakers and hundreds of whistles were blown as Gay Pride took-over the streets of Manchester city centre for the annual bank holiday weekend event.

This year, Pride - originally Mardi Gras - 'came of age', celebrating its 18 birthday.

Here, spread over three pages, are 30 photos from the colourful parade.

All photos: © UK Gay News

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Gay Youth Defy Manchester Pride With ‘Pride Not Profit’ Placards.  A small group of gay youngsters incurred the wrath of Manchester Gay Pride Festival organisers with a number of placards and t-shirts that read Pride Before Profit and Pride Is a Protest.  Minutes before the march moved off from Liverpool Street, Festival director Jackie Crozier went up to David Henry of the Queer Youth Network....  (UK Gay News, August 23, 2008)