The Promenade and North Pier will become a spectacle of colour and noise this weekend as thousands descend on the resort for Blackpool Pride.

The lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transsexual community of the town and further afield will party away the weekend under the motto of Be Proud, Be Yourself, Be in Blackpool for Pride'.

It is the second such weekend in the town and organisers believe Pride 2007, which has cost around £50,000 to organise, will be bigger and better than last year's inaugural event.

Blackpool Pride will begin with a Camp and Colour procession from South Shore close to the Pleasure Beach.

The parade, which begins at 10.30am, will make its way along a 3.5mile route on the Promenade ending at the Metropole Hotel.

The focus of the celebrations will then transfer to the North Pier, with their Queer on the Pier party. Many other gay pubs and clubs are hosting special events for the weekend.

There will be many attractions on the pier, including a fun fair, wrestling ring, dog show and a dance arena.

A cabaret and theatre show will be staged at the end of the pier, featuring a range of artists including gay icons Toyah Wilcox, Hazel Dean and Nikki French.

Blackpool Pride chairman Mark Sargent said: "If you live in Blackpool then being gay, lesbian, transsexual or bi-sexual is so much more readily acceptable compared to many places.

"We should celebrate the community that nurtures us and surrounds us with care.

"Two years down the line, Blackpool Pride is going quite literally from strength to strength."

The event has received a message of support from one of the UK's leading actors, Sir Ian McKellen.

He said: "I do love to be beside the seaside so i wish that work didn't prevent me from coming to Blackpool Pride.

"To all those luckier than me who can be there, have a wonderful day."