NOMINATIONS for Bolton Pride’s Diversity Awards are open.

Bolton Pride is a three-day festival which will take place on September 23, 24 and 25.

Over the weekend there will be six events which will celebrate all things lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans as well delivering a strong stop hate crime message.

Last year the awards dinner, held at the Bolton Whites Hotel, was attended by legend Sir Ian McKellen and Coronation Street star Antony Cotton, who celebrated seven award winners.

The winners were those who had championed equality and LGBT rights and included Nick Buckley from Bolton College and Detective Inspector Charlotte Cadden.

Carl Darcy, head of sales and marketing at Bolton Whites Hotel, said: “Due to the demand from last year, the event has been moved to the Premier Suite, which has enabled the event to grow, with an even better theme and some great live acts.”

The Diversity Awards will be made up of seven awards, five nominated and voted for by the public and two special accolades, nominated and voted for by last year’s winners and the Bolton Pride team.

The two special awards will be named “The Sir Ian McKellen Award” which will be presented to the individual or organisation that has served Bolton’s LGBT community with passion, and “The Darren Batey Award” shall be awarded to a community hero who excels in volunteering and charity work.

A spokesman for Bolton Pride said: “We were thrilled to have Sir Ian at the dinner and we know that he is a massive supporter of Bolton Pride.

“Darren Batey was also a vital part of last year’s festival, he brought key skills, amazing energy and a true love for volunteering.

“We tragically lost Darren just before Christmas and in his memory The Darren Batey Award shall now be a part of our annual awards dinner.”

The other categories are; Organisation or Charity, Business, Youth Diversity Champion (up to aged 21), Adult Diversity Champion and Outstanding Contribution Award.

Nominations for the awards close on August 6 and can be voted for on the Bolton Pride website, where tickets can also be purchased.

Go to boltonpride.com for tickets and details.