The main organiser of this year's Morecambe Pride has called for everyone to join together in a show of support after homophobic graffiti blighted last year's celebrations.
Robert Mee said everyone is welcome to Saturday's annual event celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community.
Morecambe Pride will include live entertainment inside The Platform, following a parade beginning at The Battery at 11am.
Mr Mee said the organising team had to "pick themselves up" for this year's event, following the graffiiti which was scrawled on the Promenade during the night before the 2023 parade.
"Last year there was some graffiti that was very homophobic, I think most people who live in Morecambe wouldn't agree with what was done," said Mr Mee.
"So this year we're asking people, even if they clap along the road or just come and watch us, to be there and be an ally and support us.
"Even if you're not lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual, non-binary, you can still come, you can still stand on the sidelines, you can be in the parade.
"The more support we get the better. Let's show the people who behave really badly, who really made Morecambe look bad last year, that actually, we're not like that."
LISTEN to Robert Mee from Morecambe Pride
"With what happened last year, it's really important that we make this year different," said Mr Mee.
"We've chosen to go down the same parade route that was graffiti-d last year. We've chosen the theme song 'Things Can Only Get Better' because we think they can.
"We had to pick ourselves up from what happened last year and really try hard to do something really good this year.
"It would be really good if lots of people support us."
The Morecambe Pride 2023 parade is pictured below.
Mr Mee is Chief Executive Officer of the Out in the Bay charity, which has a centre on Claremont Road in the West End of Morecambe, and also runs a housing project helping 18-25 year olds who are facing homelessness.
"As a charity we work really hard 365 days a year to support people who are from our community, and we need everybody else to come and support us as an ally," he said.
"We've got a big community cohesion thing going on with the police. They're going to be looking at doing stuff overnight, and supporting us so we get a better outcome."
Robert Mee is pictured below with Tracie Coppell, Leighanne Selman, Teigan Gilhespy and Mandy Johnson at the Out in the Bay centre in the West End of Morecambe.
Mr Mee also said that local MPs Lizzi Collinge and Cat Smith, and Clive Grunshaw, the Police and Crime Commissioner, would be attending.
"There's a lot of support for us because they all thought what happened to us last year was horrible and they've really geared up their support to support us this year to make our event even better.
"In a way it's a fightback from the prejudice last year and things will get better."
Archie, former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison (pictured below with Beyond Radio's Luke Edmondson) and her son Alex, Blitz Kids, Smashby, Sign Out Loud, Channy, Ashley Paul and Bianca Kinane will be part of the free programme of entertainment in The Platform.
Then in the evening, 90s pop icons D:Ream, famed for their hit 'Things Can Only Get Better', will perform at a ticketed event (doors 6pm, starts 6.45pm).
Read more: 90s legends D:Ream to play The Platform as part of Morecambe Pride - Beyond Radio
Beyond Radio will broadcast live from Morecambe Pride with a special show from noon to 3pm on Saturday.
Appeal launched to help save Morecambe sports and social club
Reopening date announced after Morecambe Jobcentre closes for repairs
Lancaster charity urges residents to know how they’re affected by Renters' Rights Act
Lancaster district residents urged to check their details as annual electoral canvass begins
E-bikes and e-scooters seized during police crackdown on Lancaster cycle track
Four vehicles involved in road collision in Carnforth
LISTEN: Popular vlog tells story of couple's second-hand bookshop dream in Morecambe
Emergency team in Silverdale receives donation of life-saving kits
MP offers support to staff after Morecambe FC reported to The Pensions Regulator
Track night at Lancaster sports club to launch police safety scheme for women and girls
PHOTOS: Live music day to raise funds for homeless people in Lancaster hailed as huge success
Former bank turned live music venue in Morecambe to reopen under new management
New parking system set to launch at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
Museum in Lancaster up for award launched by TV historian David Olusoga
MP fights for refunds after Heysham medical centre patients get parking fines in error
Two teenagers arrested after car stolen during Hest Bank burglary
Parents demand further action after health watchdog probe into asbestos complaints at Lancaster school
LISTEN: Lancaster medical students praised for helping man who collapsed
Man arrested on Morecambe beach after report of assault
Police probe burglaries in villages near Carnforth
