The streets of Brighton and Hove became a sea of balloons, rainbow flags and colourful costumes as partygoers packed the streets for the Pride 2001 festival.

More than 50,000 revellers descended on the city at the weekend to take part in the increasingly popular lesbian and gay event.

Pubs, cafes, restaurants, shops and nightclubs did a roarding trade as Brighton and Hove's economy was boosted by the Pink Pound.

The festival kicked off shortly after 11am with a spectacular parade along the streets of Brighton from Madeira Drive to Preston Park.

Thousands looked on as floats adorned with cowboys, angels, drag queens and Roman gladiators made their way slowly along the streets after a confusing start.

Some floats appeared to have left early which meant cars and even a milk van were jammed between party lorries.

But the procession soon ran smoothly as costumed dancers, bands and even wizards on roller skates were soon expertly weaving their way between the floats.

This year's theme was myths and legends and the costumes didn't disappoint.

The Brighton Body Positive float even had Madonna, Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe lookalikes dancing on it.

Visitors came from all around the country to enjoy the famous event.

Onlooker Melanie Taylor, 39, from Cambridge, said: "It's fantastic and it's even better than the London one as there's more gay people here."

Jax Meaney, 39, and Max Raynor, 40, travelled all the way from Fleetwood, near Blackpool, for the weekend.

Jax said: "It's the first time I've watched the parade in Brighton. It's good but the gap between floats was too long and it was a shame there were cars driving in-between them."

Not to be outdone, many of the spectators were also decked out in fancy dress, including lots of sparkly cowboys with bare bottoms.

The crowds followed as the parade left Madeira Drive and made its way through the Old Steine, past Victoria Gardens and along London Road to make a dramatic entrance into the carnival atmosphere of Preston Park.

Marie Curtis, six, and Jonathan Forman, ten, watched the parade with their mother Tanya Forman of Brighton Road, Newhaven.

Marie said: "I thought the best bit was the men who dressed as ladies and chucked buckets of water at everybody."

Tanya added: "It was great entertainment. We're definitely going to the park later to see what's happening there."

Preston Park was heaving by early afternoon with thousands of visitors enjoying the fair rides, stalls, dance tents and party atmosphere.

Big names at the park's main stage included Jimmy Somerville, Popstars rejects Liberty, disco-diva Hazel Dean as well as three competitors from last year's series of Stars in their Eyes.

There were also comedy tents, bars, stalls of every kind and packed dance tents, including the Wild Fruit dance tent, women's tent, The Candy Bar and gay indie tent Popstarz.

Pride organiser and committee chair PJ Aldred said: "Last year's event attracted 50,000 people.

"I think we could already be up on that figure. People have come from all over the country just to attend this event, it's brilliant."

The event took more than nine months to organise.

According to vice-chair of the Pride committee Royston Russell, organising the event meant at least three hours of work every single day. He had just flown in from Ibiza for the festival and was due to fly back there on Sunday to organise an event even bigger than Pride.

The event attracted a range of different people from families enjoying a picnic in the park to drag queens working the crowds and older couples enjoying a leisurely drink at the bar.

Amy Chapman, 25, of Bromley, said: "This is what Brighton is about. I love the eclectic mix of people and the happy, laid-back atmosphere. It's what makes the place unique. I came down here with a couple of gay friends and my brother. We've had a brilliant time. In fact, I'm on my back to the Wild Fruit tent now"

Rob and Lesley Roberts, from Gosport, were in Brighton visiting family but decided to pop into Preston Park as they were staying at the Travel Lodge hotel, on London Road.

Rob, 51, said: "It's certainly different, you don't get anything like this in Gosport. But, I have to say, it seems well organised and it's not everyday you have an event like this, with fair rides and stalls, bang outside the place you're staying."

The party mood continued well into the early hours of Sunday morning with many clubs holding post-Pride events and the sound of whistles being blown along the city's streets could still be heard throughout the night.