THE streets of Bournemouth will be awash with colour when Bourne Free returns this weekend.

The popular annual event celebrates diversity in the local community and runs between Friday and Sunday.

Last year thousands of people lined the streets to watch the parade which starts at East Cliff at 11am on Saturday before making its way to The Triangle.

Each year the theme has a particular theme and this year’s is Hawaiian beach party.

PICTURES: Bourne Free festival through the years

The fun began in the Triangle Arena on Friday when a family fun night took place between 5pm and 11pm. There was a free screening of Disney classic The Little Mermaid at 5pm with a bar for over 18s.

On Saturday between 12.30pm and 4.30pm, there will be free family entertainment and stalls in the Lower Gardens.

While in The Triangle there will be live music and entertainment for over 18s only from the likes of Courtney Act, Dane Bowers, MC Big Ben, S Club, Artful Dodger, Brandon Block, Michelle Heaton and Sam Callahan. Entry is by wristband only.

Then on Sunday, the local Metropolitan Community Church will provide an open-air service for all, at The Triangle Arena which is free to attend and open to everyone of all ages.

Kelvin Hastings-Gordon, trustee, said: “Bringing thousands to Bournemouth’s town centre last year’s Bourne Free saw almost 24 hours of events over 4 locations including the Triangle arena main stage, pride parade, family friendly movie screening, family entertainment area & information stalls during the weekend festival.

“The Bourne Free trustees and committee are working hard to ensure that 2018 will be just as good, if not better.”

Bourne Free was established in 2004 to defend and promote the local LGBT+ community in the face of an organised homophobic protest planned for Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens.