The rainbow flag flew proudly yesterday as Huddersfield Pride made its debut.

The day began with a moving vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting, with 49 flowers laid — one for each life lost — in St George's Square.

The flag was marched through the town centre before celebrations kicked off at the Tokyo nightclub.

X Factor star Ray Quinn, Pop Idol's Michelle McManus and a host of drag acts and performers took to the stage, and the nightclub hosted stalls selling rainbow flag merchandise while community groups gave support and advice.

West Yorkshire Police also joined the fun, with the Huddersfield force joking that PC Gardner had 'face ache from smiling' after taking selfies with revellers all day.

PC Gardner at Huddersfield Pride
PC Gardner at Huddersfield Pride
PC Gardner and PC Kokuciak at Huddersfield Pride at Tokyo
PC Gardner and PC Kokuciak at Huddersfield Pride at Tokyo

Make up artist Natalie Gaskell, from Halifax, was offering makeovers with her business Chrysalis.

She said: “I’m really keen to get into make up for the trans community.

“When you’re transitioning some people are still to discover who they are and find their confidence, and the way you look is a big part of that.”

Watch the Pride flag make its way through the town centre

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One couple celebrating at Tokyo were Mozhan Barraghi, 29, and Sana Hamid, 21, from Iran.

The University students said: ”We’re really proud that we’re here and say that we are who we are.”

And the rainbows appeared in Huddersfield long before the flag was flown at Pride.

Daniel Joseph tweeted this picture of a double rainbow on Friday night, that seemed to be welcoming Pride revellers to town: