The new-look Congleton Pride has been hailed a huge success.

Crowds flocked to Congleton on Saturday, July 18, as the town's annual celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community returned with a fresh new format.

This year saw the festivities brought indoors for the first time, transforming the Town Hall into a colourful space packed with live entertainment, community organisations, crafters, information stalls and activities for all ages.

Opening the event, Town Mayor Suzy Firkin said: "It has a new feel this year. A cosy, cuddly and more intimate Pride.

"It is wonderful to be hosting it inside our amazing Town Hall. It feels like we have put our arms around Pride and given it a big hug.

"And doesn't it look great? The banners are incredible and give it a great festive feel as well as sending a very strong message of unity and inclusion.

"At a time when it feels that society is sadly becoming more polarised, we want to make it clear that here in Congleton we believe in treating everyone with kindness and providing a town centre and community spaces where we want everyone to feel safe and welcome."

Visitors enjoyed a full day of live entertainment alongside market stalls by community groups and charities, as well as local makers and artisan sellers.

Upstairs, Pride-goers could try out crafts by Needlessly Felted, Game of Throws (crochet) and the Creative Club (bead art).

A dedicated quiet space offered somewhere to relax, recharge or chat with one of the Pride wellbeing team.

The stage programme opened with a DJ set by Mark Benson, followed by popular acoustic songs from Jasmine Allen Estate.

Pride favourite Andy Hofton then got the crowd going with his unique blend of classic songs and boundless energy, and LB Dance kept the tempo up with a joyful performance.

London band Monday's Monsoon performed laid-back soulful original songs, and the day was rounded off by the inspirational Proud Marys, the Chester based inclusive choir, who filled the Great Hall with powerful harmony.

The celebrations continued into the evening with the free Congleton Pride After Party.

Claire Brocklebank delighted the audience with performances as both Kylie Minogue and Madonna before founder and co-chair Ronan Clayton took to the decks as DJ.

Ronan said: "What an incredible day. We set out to create a Pride that felt welcoming, fun and full of friendship, and the response has been overwhelming. Thank you to every single person who came along and helped make the day so special.

"We are enormously grateful to all of our stall-holders, entertainers, crafters and organisations who brought so much energy and colour to the Town Hall.

"Most of all, thank you to our fantastic volunteers, whose hard work before, during and after the event made everything possible."

Councillor Richard Walton, Pride trustee and treasurer, added: "The team took the decision to do Pride differently this year and there was naturally some nervousness about making such a significant change. The success of the day has shown that it was absolutely the right decision."

Chair of Congleton Town Council's Community Committee, councillor Kay Wesley, said: "Thank you to the entire Congleton Pride team and everyone who helped make the day so special, especially the volunteers whose enthusiasm and commitment shone through from start to finish.

"This year both the Pride team and the town council received hate and abuse on social media simply for promoting this event. The thousands of people who came to the Town Hall on Saturday proved those voices wrong.

"They came to celebrate that love is love, that everyone should be accepted for who they are, and to enjoy a fantastic day together. The smiles on people's faces throughout the day said it all. Congleton showed once again that kindness and inclusion will always win here."