BEATING drums, clashing cymbals and colourful flags will fill the town centre tomorrow when a festival celebrating diversity and equality marches through the streets.

Hundreds of people armed with banners and flags will gather at Reading’s Civic Centre at 11.30am to march through the town for Reading Pride, which celebrates the borough’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The theme of this year’s event is Musicals and after the march winds through to Kings Meadow, the festival will be officially opened by Reading’s mayor Tony Jones at midday.

Taking to the main stage for the free event will be headline acts Sam Callahan of X-Factor fame, Amanda Wilson of the Freemasons and local favourite Nicolette Street. Other performers include jazz and swing band Funk Lab and cabaret favourites Misty Lee, Topping and Butch, Lola Lasagna and Sandra London as well as Reading’s own Wilma Fingadoo.

Kings Meadow will also be filled with children and family zones including a village green, disco dome, marketplace and food and drinks stands. There will also be a karaoke bar, face painting, a fun fair, and a picnic.

Reading Pride chairman Andrew Adams said: “This year’s Reading Pride will be a great day out for the whole community while showing solidarity for those who are still prevented from expressing their love for one another, wherever they may be.”

Visit www.readingpride.co.uk