Seafront in the pink for Pride

7.32.24pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Jul 2005

The seafront's festoon lighting will be turning pink at the end of next week to celebrate the annual Pride Festival.

Colas is to install around 5,000 pink bulbs above the promenade between the two piers. Work will begin next Monday and the lights will be glowing pink over the weekend of 5, 6 and 7 August.

Councillor Paul Elgood, chair of Brighton & Hove's equalities forum, said: "Last year's lighting of the Pavilion in pink for Pride drew national attention and this builds on that success. There can be no better symbol for the city in Pride Week than to light our seafront in pink.

"Pride has grown to become one of the city's most important events. This year the Festival promises to be better than ever, and the lighting will complement the Parade which starts on the seafront near Brighton Pier on 6 August."

Pride is the biggest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Festival in the country, attracting more than 100,000 people. Summer Pride Week starts this weekend (Saturday, 30 July). For details of events, check out the website at www.brightonpride.org.

Colas has contributed half the costs of the lighting, and the council welcomes further sponsors for the scheme.