ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

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.

London Pride Parade 2015 13 show all London Pride Parade 2015 1/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Peter Tatchell at the beginning of the parade (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 2/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Participants take part in the London Pride parade (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 3/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Amnesty International banners are held aloft (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 4/13 London Pride Parade 2015 A large rainbow flag ripples in the air (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 5/13 London Pride Parade 2015 A participant carries a rainbow flag (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 6/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Striking wigs help brighten up the parade (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 7/13 London Pride Parade 2015 More participants join the parade (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 8/13 London Pride Parade 2015 One marcher sports a rainbow-coloured mask (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 9/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Some outlandish outfits were on display (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 10/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Tens of thousands line the streets (Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty) Rob Stothard/Getty 11/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Police officers join the parade (Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty) Rob Stothard/Getty 12/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Flag waving (Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty) Rob Stothard/Getty 13/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Proud balloons (Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty) Rob Stothard/Getty 1/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Peter Tatchell at the beginning of the parade (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 2/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Participants take part in the London Pride parade (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 3/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Amnesty International banners are held aloft (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 4/13 London Pride Parade 2015 A large rainbow flag ripples in the air (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 5/13 London Pride Parade 2015 A participant carries a rainbow flag (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 6/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Striking wigs help brighten up the parade (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 7/13 London Pride Parade 2015 More participants join the parade (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 8/13 London Pride Parade 2015 One marcher sports a rainbow-coloured mask (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 9/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Some outlandish outfits were on display (Picture: Laura Lean/PA) Laura Lean/PA 10/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Tens of thousands line the streets (Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty) Rob Stothard/Getty 11/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Police officers join the parade (Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty) Rob Stothard/Getty 12/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Flag waving (Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty) Rob Stothard/Getty 13/13 London Pride Parade 2015 Proud balloons (Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty) Rob Stothard/Getty

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.

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

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".