BOURNEMOUTH'S Pride festival launched with a riot of colour and fun this morning.

The town's annual Bourne Free weekend - which officially began on Friday night with a flashmob in the Square - is now in full swing.

And Bournemouth was brought to a standstill as thousands watched a parade wind through the town centre today.

From live bands to cheerleaders, firemen to a giant, rainbow-clad model of Jesus, the show-stopping parade featured hundreds of participants.

See 50 pictures from the event in a gallery here.

Volunteers also manned a huge rainbow flag on the march through the streets.

Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill, who is also one of the Bourne Free organisers, has now hailed the event as "one of the best yet".

"On Friday the event launched with our family night, which was the most successful we've ever had," he said.

"There were loads of kids, it was an absolutely brilliant atmosphere, so we were all really pleased with that. The event itself has been fantastic too. It's the first time we have seen senior representatives of all three emergency services getting involved with the parade, which was great. There were representatives from both Dorset and Hampshire involved too."

Mr Underhill said that an estimated 400 people had been involved in the procession through the town this morning. Just under 30 vehicles also formed part of the parade, including fire trucks, a Purbeck Breezer bus decked out with rainbow-coloured flags and floats bearing performers soon to take to the stage in musical Grease at the Pavilion.

"It's got to be one of the biggest Bourne Free events we've ever had," Mr Underhill said.

"The mayor came along, and Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns - who is a big supporter of Bourne Free - was at the event too."

The popular weekend is also giving organisers the chance to provide advice, support and information to participants.

In the Lower Gardens, visitors can stop off at any one of 30 information stalls, while a Dorset Police video promoting a new crime App was also screened in the Triangle.

Mr Underhill said: "There's been a lot going on.

"It's an amazing event to be a part of."