Stoke-on-Trent Pride is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary when it returns this weekend.

On Saturday 20 June, thousands of people are expected to attend Hanley Park as Stoke-on-Trent Pride marks two decades in the city with a "landmark celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, diversity and inclusion".

The event, which will take place between 12pm and 6pm, will feature entertainment, community activities, exhibitors, food and drink and fairground attractions.

More than 135 stalls, sponsors and supporters are set to take part including representatives from a range of community organisations, charities, health services, local businesses, sports clubs, retailers and public services.

The annual Pride Parade will also return at 2.30pm making its way through the event site, which the organisers hope will create a "colourful and visible celebration of equality, acceptance and community spirit."

The annual Pride Parade will begin at 2.30pm (image via Peachy Pictures and Stoke-on-Trent Pride)

A spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent Pride said: "Founded in 2006, Stoke-on-Trent Pride is celebrating 20 years of championing equality, visibility and inclusion across North Staffordshire.

"Over the past two decades the event has grown into one of the city's most anticipated annual community celebrations, welcoming thousands of visitors every year.

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"With strong community support, a packed entertainment programme, more than 135 stalls and exhibitors, and a year that marks 20 years of Stoke-on-Trent Pride, organisers expect this year's event to be one of the biggest and most memorable celebrations the city has ever seen."

Most of the event is free to attend including the Fringe Tent, Family Area, Pride Parade, arts and crafts activities, community zones and stalls.

The only admission charge applies to the Main Arena, which includes access to the Main Stage and licensed bar area, with wristbands available at £5 for adults and £1 for under-16s.

The Main Stage programme features a full afternoon of live entertainment hosted by Electric Blue, beginning with an opening welcome from Stoke-on-Trent Pride organisers and civic guests.

Performances throughout the day include Bella, live band Nothing But Covers, Scottish vocalist Bev Lyons, a special drag performance from Electric Blue, Gail Windrass as Diva Tribute, Scottish boy band Just The Brave, dance music "legend" Alex Party, and a headline performance from Kelly Llorenna.

The Fringe Stage, which will be located next to The Pavilion, is completely free to enter and will feature performances by Gothic Drag Queen MX Maria Moans, followed by Courtney Conteh (as seen on BGT) and S.P.E.A.K (a collective of Queer performers, featuring spoken word & comedy

The Grand Finale will be TestMaster, fronted by FabuAl with guest presenters Madame Fromage & Nick Cheng.

The Fringe Stage programme (images via Red Gibson)

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Red Gibson, the nonbinary performer, artist and singer who will be compereing the Fringe Stage said: "The Fringe has an element of being outside the box, featuring a quirky discombobulated mix of performance that you wouldn't ordinarily get anywhere else - TestMaster is definitely unique, a mix of tasks, drag, comedy, and music - a mishmash of a cabaret.

"Lead by the Fabulous FabuAl, the entertainment is not to be missed.

"99 per cent of the performers are also from the LGBTQ community - elevating & highlighting the talents of the community is something I feel is very important at Pride."

This year's event is supported by a range of organisations including Alton Towers Resort, Dunelm, GMB Union, GOSSIP! Nightclub, UNISON, EE, GXO, Faulkner Powell Mortgages, The Co-operative Bank, University of Staffordshire, Port Vale FC Foundation, Stoke City Football Club, National Education Union.

To find out more about Stoke-on-Trent Pride, visit the website here.