PLENTY of colour, music and extravagance are promised at Taunton's first ever Pride Parade.

Preparations are underway for the parade through the town centre as part of the Taunton Live & Pride event in Vivary Park on Saturday, July 16.

Referring to the parade, Vienna Ashley-Watts, a director of Taunton Pride, said: "I'm so excited. It's going to be amazing.

"It's going to celebrate colour and extravagance.

"People will be able to bring posters and placards with a message, play music, just giving out positive vibes."

During the event launch in Goodland Gardens otday (Monday, February 28), she added: “This is an opportunity to involve the wider community of Taunton on a level that truly encompasses our key themes.

"The Pride parade will celebrate our LGBTQIA+ family, platform and empower them to hold space and showcase the beauty, diversity and intersectionalities that Taunton has to offer.

"We invite you to be inspired by our unity, culture, and collaboration. In order to know what a truly equal and inclusive society looks like, we must first show you.”

Fellow director Zahra Hoccom said: "We're doing something that Taunton hasn't necessarily seen on this scale before.

"We're really passionate about making it inclusive for everyone.

"It's about coming together in a community and celebrating."

Taunton Live & Pride grew out of Taunton Live Arts Festival, which was first organised in 2015 by GoCreate directors Jenny Keogh, Liz Hutchin and Richard Holt, who wanted to create "an inclusive, diverse and welcoming cultural space".

They reached out to the LGBTQIA+ community and a new working group was formed last year with representation from Taunton Gay Group, 2BU, Somerset Lesbian Network, Q Collaborative and LGBT+ Christians Group with the aim to develop Pride as its own Community Interest Company.

Now GoCreate and Taunton Pride are working collaboratively together to deliver Taunton Live & Pride 2022 to celebrate the arts and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Ms Keogh said: "This collaboration of community and creativity offers such a positive space for people to be themselves.

"Through celebration and education, Live & Pride offers Taunton a future that is more colourful, cultured and accessible to all."

Cllr Caroline Ellis, of Somerset West and Taunton Council, said: "We're thrilled to be supporting Taunton Live & Pride.

"It's going to be an amazing event for the town.

"Taunton is a beacon for arts, culture and inclusivity."

Anyone who would like to volunteer, become a sponsor of the event of engage should get in touch with the organisers via info@gocreate.org.uk or info@tauntonpride.co.uk