Security service MI5, a bank and a fire brigade have been named among the best LGBT employers by an equality charity.

Law firm Pinsent Masons is said to be the best lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) employer in the UK.

MI5, Lloyds Banking Group and Cheshire fire and rescue were also praised by Stonewall, as well as a number of universities.

The charity’s annual list additionally includes the Welsh government and Newcastle city council.

Darren Towers, Stonewall’s executive director, said: “Stonewall was set up 30 years ago to fight against the introduction of Section 28, a vicious piece of legislation that banned local authorities from ‘promoting homosexuality’.

“To now see higher education institutions dominating the top 100 for the first time shows not just how far we’ve come, but also sends a really positive message for the future.

“LGBT-inclusive employers play a crucial role in changing society by using their power and influence to proudly support LGBT people in their organisations.

“Our number one employer of 2019, Pinsent Masons, is leading the way, championing lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality in the workplace.

“They know that helping staff feel that they can bring their full selves to work doesn’t just make a huge difference to individual team members – it makes real business sense too.”

Stonewall said its “senior champion of the year” is Jonathan Slater, permanent secretary at the Department for Education.