A SEA of rainbows took over the home of Bradford Bulls at the city’s annual Pride festival, which featured a poignant tribute to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing.

The event attracted thousands of visitors to the terraces of Odsal on Saturday, who enjoyed a mixture of live music and entertainment amid sunshine and heavy rain.

They united for a minute’s applause as revellers remembered the 22 killed in Monday’s terror attack.

Speeches were also made by a group of dignitaries including West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson, Bradford Council leader Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe and Councillor Richard Dunbar, Bradford Council’s LGBT champion.

The festival was held amid increased security, with armed police officers on patrol inside the stadium and at the gates.

Every person’s bags were checked on entrance to the seven-hour event, now in its 12th year.

Two revellers, Keely and Sandra Grant, carried a number of pink balloons with tributes to the Manchester bombing victims written on then. The decorations included the Manchester Bee symbol, and slogans ‘22’ and ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’. Others who attended the event also said it was important to show defiance after last week’s tragedy.

Billie Raymond, who dressed up as the Queen, travelled from Carlisle to attend.

He said: “What happened would not stop me coming today. If you stay in your house, the terrorists have won.

“It is the first time I have come to Bradford Pride.”

Davina Cockshott, of Skipton, said: “We can’t let what happened last Monday stop us from doing things. Bradford Pride helps fight ignorance with education.”

Emiel De’Trovske, of Bradford, who helped set up the city’s first Pride event held in Peel Park, said: “It is getting bigger and better each year. More and more people are coming to it.”

Performers on the main stage included S Club Party, Lucy Spraggan and Sonique.

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