A PRIDE flag has been raised as parades and celebrations had to be postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.

The distinctive rainbow flag was raised above County Hall in Lewes on Tuesday in support of equality and diversity.

Representatives from East Sussex County Council were joined by Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust and the county’s High Sheriff attended.

Councillor Elkin, chairman of East Sussex County Council, said: “While we are unable this year to get together to celebrate and support diversity and inclusion in our county, flying the flag is a great way to show our commitment to the LGBT community and to what it represents. The Pride flag flies to remind us all of the need to continue to strive for equality at a time when these issues are at the forefront of everyone’s mind.”

Lindsey Stevenson, LGBT Network chair at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, who attended the flag raising event, said: “Recently, we have witnessed unprecedented times that have changed the shape of Pride events across the region, and people have responded with compassion, friendship and an outpouring of support for one another as we have adapted to a different way of marking Pride. We look forward to a time when we can celebrate Pride events and bring the LGBT community together again.”