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Cambridgeshire County councillors and staff have gathered to raise the rainbow flag at Shire Hall and mark the end of LGBT History month.

The informal ceremony was the culmination of a range of activities to promote equality by Cambridgeshire County Council.

In its third year of marking LGBT History month Shire Hall was also lit up like a rainbow as part of the e-Luminate Festival.

Other initiatives included displays at Cambridge Museum and activities with schools and libraries.

(Image: Warren Gunn)

The Cambridgeshire Race Equality and Diversity Service (CREDS) also continues to provide support for schools with children from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Last year, Cambridgeshire was ranked high up in the Stonewall Index as one of the best authorities in the country for celebrating diversity and for its work in tackling and preventing homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools.

The county has been in the top 10 ever since the awards began in 2011.

(Image: Warren Gunn)

This year’s LGBT History month events were planned by the council’s Diversity Group which includes both councillors and officers.

The group plans to look at ways to celebrate other significant events like Black History Month and International Women’s Day.

(Image: Warren Gunn)

Cllr Ed Cearns, who signed the county council’s Equality Pledge in 2014, said: "I think it’s particularly important given the turbulent times we are living in. It’s important to recognise that we are all part of the rainbow.

"It’s important to recognise that LGBT people are more vulnerable to mental health problems and at risk of suicide and give them the help that they need.

"There is a risk that equality is being eroded in society. There is a shadow of racism and intolerance. It’s important to show diversity makes our society even stronger.

"It's really important not to take for granted that we generally live in a place where people recognise and value each other's differences. Sadly it's not the case everywhere.

"It's vital to fly the rainbow flag and remember through difference we have strength."