Thousands celebrate at London's pride parade 2015

Thousands of people filled central London to soak up the "incredible" atmosphere as the annual Pride parade swept through the streets.

The city was awash with rainbow flags as tens of thousands of spectators watched more than 250 groups march from Baker Street to Whitehall today.

The annual Pride in London parade kicked off at 1pm and passed through Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.

The route ended in Whitehall but festivities went on until 8pm with events staged in Trafalgar Square and Soho's Golden Square.

Revellers took to social media to share joyous snaps, with many hailing the “incredible” and “phenomenal” atmosphere of the event, which was founded in 1972 to celebrate the LGBT community.

The atmosphere is INCREDIBLE #LondonPride @LondonLGBTPride pic.twitter.com/ppCx0jYvSw

— Isaiah Fapuro (@JazzyMarketer) June 27, 2015

London looks phenomenal today. #Pride pic.twitter.com/3xgDoyt669

— 0110100001101001 (@MonsterMuffin20) June 27, 2015

Happy #LondonPride !! I marched near the front of the parade so look for me on the news! pic.twitter.com/LPyogxBVs9

— Daphne (@SchnauzerDaphne) June 27, 2015

Never seen London so crowded #LondonPride #LovesWins pic.twitter.com/8nYSaSoEOs

— Larry Au (@larryau) June 27, 2015

Local PCs were in the @LondonLGBTPride parade today, thank you for your attendance & fantastic support #PrideinLondon pic.twitter.com/0uB4V9DzMX

— HammFul MPS (@MPSHammFul) June 27, 2015

With the sun shining bright, revellers dressed up for the occasion - with some in dramatic costumes - while their pet dogs were pictured in multi-coloured outfits.

The United States flag joined Ireland and Mozambique's at the front of the march, recognising recent gay rights progress in all three countries.

Yesterday the Supreme Court in the US made a landmark ruling which gave same-sex couples the right to marry anywhere in all 50 states across America.

Ruth Hunt, chief executive of Stonewall, said Pride is "a wonderful event that celebrates LGBT equality and how far we've come", adding: "However, we must not lose sight of how much is left to do.

"The number of reported LGBT hate crimes is on the rise across the UK, our Government must address trans law reform, LGBT people are still being bullied in school and isolated at work, and overseas many Prides either take place under armed guard or not at all.

"In fact, it's illegal to be gay in 75 countries and punishable by death in ten."

There was additional security at today's parade in the wake of yesterday's terror attacks in France, Tunisia and Kuwait.

Last year more than 750,000 people attended Pride In London and the Met's Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball said police were laying on extra security "to help protect and reassure the public".

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