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Town's first Pride parade 'a huge success'

Rochdale Council Two men draped in rainbow flags, one wearing a rainbow hat, stand with their backs to the cameraRochdale Council
Rochdale Council A line of people dressed in colourful clothing and carrying rainbow flags walk in a parade outside Rochdale's stone-built gothic town hallRochdale Council
Many of those who took part in the parade were draped in rainbow flags
The parade "looped around" the area outside the newly-restored Town Hall

Rochdale's first ever Pride parade "far exceeded" the organisers' expectations as hundreds of people turned out to join in the fun.

Rochdale Council said the parade, which "looped around the pedestrianised area... in front of the newly-restored Rochdale Town Hall" on Saturday, had been "a huge success".

It said highlights included those involved being led down a cat walk by drag queen Viola and a "heartfelt poem" being read by a young person who is part of Rochdale youth services about "inclusion, being accepted and recognised".

Deputy mayor Janet Emsley, one of the founders of Rochdale in Rainbows, said attendance had "far exceeded our expectations" and it had been "wonderful to see The Esplanade saturated in rainbow colours".

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