HIGH-profile LGBT figures are heading to Eastbourne on Saturday for the town’s first Pride/mardi gras.

Support group Bourne Out, chaired by veteran campaigner Betty Gallacher, has been organising the 14-hour spectacular for the past 12 months.

And Ms Gallacher is confident of a bumper turnout of people from all over the South East.

She said: “This is a celebration of both diversity and families and we want to see as many people as possible.

“We are very excited at the prospect of the first ever Eastbourne Pride and next year we will be looking to make it even bigger.”

The parade will start at 12.30pm at Eastbourne Waterworks at Langney Point Car Park on Prince William Parade along Eastbourne seafront.

At the front of the parade will be Stephen Lloyd MP, LGBT celebrity campaigner Peter Tatchell, Unite union general secretary Len McCluskey and Lord Collins of Highbury.

The parade will go to Princes Park where the main party will run from 1.30pm until 9pm.

There is non-stop entertainment and Betty is urging everyone to go along and enjoy themselves.

The entertainment includes Abba Magic, a Frank Sinatra tribute, an Elton John tribute, X-Factor star Charlie Healy and other national and local artistes.

There is also an aftershow party at Atlantis on Eastbourne Pier from 9.30pm until 3am.

There will be DJs at the nightclub and entry is £2 per person.

Ms Gallacher said: “It’s all set to be an absolutely amazing day and we are so proud that it is happening here in Eastbourne.

“This is year one and we are confident it will be popular with both families and the LGBT community.

“We have lined up a great day from 12.30pm on Saturday until 3am on Sunday.

“Be a part of it. It’s going to be something very special.”

The event has received lottery funding and the support of Eastbourne Borough Council.

For more details go to wwweastbournepride.co.uk.