Nearly 8,000 tickets have been sold for this year’s Pride in just three weeks.

It is the first time bosses have charged for the party at Preston Park in Brighton and organisers say it proves there is support for the event, as only people with Sussex postcodes have been able to buy them.

Residents have until midnight to buy their early release tickets, before the prices go up tomorrow when they go on general release.

Bosses announced that they would be charging for this year’s event, which will take place on August 13, in order to make it safer for everyone who attends.

Although it will now be on a smaller scale, the cost of putting on the event has more than doubled to about £550,000 because of extra costs, including the need to pay for security staff and fencing.

To balance the books bosses needed to sell 44,118 tickets at the cheapest price of £8.50, or far fewer of the more expensive tickets.

Groups can apply for these tickets at www.brightonpride.org.

To buy your tickets visit www.ticketline.co.uk or call 0844 8889991.

Ticket Prices Early Release Prices £8.50 for adults, £5 for under 18s, free for children under 12 (when booked with an adult ticket) with Sussex postcodes for the first three weeks General Release £12.50 for adults, £8.50 for under 18s, free for children under 12 (when booked with an adult ticket)