BRIGHTON Pride will inspire the whole country with a “wonderful celebration of diversity”, Prime Minister Theresa May has said.

The Conservative leader has hailed the city’s famous tolerance and diversity along with its leading role in championing LGBT rights and equal marriage.

She has sent her “very best wishes” to the all festivalgoers as hundreds of thousands prepare for the city’s biggest party this weekend.

The UK’s biggest Pride Festival kicked off in style last night [Friday] with the free Pride Pleasure Gardens – a new addition for the weekend which started with a series of laidback acoustic performances.

In her support of the Brighton Pride, Mrs May also paid tribute to Sussex Police to support the LGBT community, Sussex Beacon and the AIDS memorial sculpture in New Steine Gardens – all of which the former Home Secretary said she had witnessed first-hand.

She added: “It is absolutely fitting that the UK’s biggest Pride festival should be in a city so famous for its tolerance and diversity.

“Brighton has led the way in campaigning for LGBT rights and equal marriage was brilliantly championed by all three of your MPs each from different political parties.

“We rightly take pride in making Britain one of the most LGBT-friendly places in the world, we grieve with all LGBT communities after the tragic and senseless murders in Orlando and we express our determination to defeat all forms of bigotry and violence.

“I know that Brighton Pride will once again inspire us all with its dazzling array of artists and performances and its wonderful celebration of diversity.”