Belgrade was placed under lockdown last night as Serbia’s first Gay Pride march in four years took place under the watchful eye of tanks and special forces.

The activists were able to advance several hundred metres through the deserted city-centre streets, but only thanks to the protection of thousands of riot police, water cannons and helicopters.

It was a rare sight for Serbia, one of the most conservative countries in Europe, to witness a march akin to those found in the more cosmopolitan cities of London and Berlin. Albeit on a smaller scale and with far more security.

After a march in 2010, pride events were banned for three years because of clashes between police and extreme right-wing groups, which saw more than 100 people injured. This year there appears to have been little violence, despite threats made by ultra-nationalists.

In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Show all 15 1 /15 In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Police in riot gear blocked central Belgrade with barricades and armoured vehicles. Officials said mounted units were on standby in case of riots EPA In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years A gay activist holds a Peace flag as he stands in front of members of the Serbian Gendarmerie in the country's first Gay Pride March in four years AP In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years The night before Belgrade had seen hundreds of anti-gay protesters rallying against the march on Sunday AP In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Orthodox Christians joined the rally but were held back by riot police AP In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years The march went ahead on Sunday morning EPA In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Hundreds of riot police were deployed to protect the marchers AP In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years The parade has had a four year hiatus due to concerns over homophobic attacks EPA In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Hundreds of people turned out to be part of the march through Belgrade EPA In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Mounted units were on stand-by to back up police on the ground in case of riots Reuters In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Waving flags and banners, the gay rights' activists marched through empty streets EPA In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years The march has been cancelled each year since attendants were attacked four years ago AP In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years The first Gay Pride was held in Serbia in 2000 EPA In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years A woman with a child speaks to riot police during the parade EPA In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Some anti-gay activists were held by police during the Pride march Reuters In pictures: Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years Serbia's first Gay Pride march in four years The Orthodox Church condemned the event, but hundreds turned out in support EPA

Belgrade’s mayor, Sinisa Mali, who joined the demonstration with foreign diplomats, said it was an opportunity to show that Belgrade is a world capital where “all citizens are equal.”

Darko Pandurevic, 23, from Sarajevo, who came to show solidarity with marchers, added he felt “a little bit scared,” but believed everything would be fine.

Pressure from the EU is thought to be the main reason Serbian officials allowed Sunday’s event to take place after the three year ban. The country is keen to join the organisation and wants to burnish its human rights credentials.

“This is a very positive and strong message,” the head of the EU mission in Serbia, Michael Davenport, told the rally. “It is also a strong message to those using hate language.”

There is some way to go before members of the LGBT community can enjoy full acceptance in Serbia however, as thousands of anti-gay campaigners protested against the march on Saturday and the head of the country’s Orthodox Church denounced the march.