A STAND against hate crime was taken as Bolton Pride 2017 officially launched with a vigil in the town centre.

People gathered in Victoria Square in front of the town hall and lit candles in tribute to people from the LGBT community who had been victims of hate crime.

As well as visitors and members of Bolton Pride, officers from Greater Manchester Police attended the event in a police car flashing multi-coloured lights.

Speeches were made on stage and music blared out across the square.

And as darkness fell, the town hall was bathed in the colours of the rainbow flag.

This year is the third annual Bolton Pride event featuring music, entertainment and colour throughout the weekend and attracting hundreds of people.

The parade will kick off from Queens Park on Saturday and will make its way down Spa Road to Victoria Square where there will be an afternoon of live music headlined by Stooshie.

Organiser James Edgington said: "Pride is an unashamed festival of diversity and it’s amazing to see how much it has grown over the last few years.

"It means a lot to us that so many have wholeheartedly embraced pride and shows attitudes are shifting and our differences are gradually becoming less important.

"We’re very excited to celebrate love with the wonderful people of Bolton."

For weekend tickets and more information, go to boltonpride.co.uk