ST Helens' first Pride celebration has been shortlisted for an LCR Pride Award, which celebrates the City regions achievements in the LGBTQ+ communities.

On August 10, young and old alike gathered on a rainy Saturday for the event.

The parade of love started with MD Production dancers singing This is Me from the hit movie The Greatest Showman.

A full day full of fun then took place in Church Square and The World of Glass.

The event was thought up by creative director of MD Productions Miguel Doforo and chief executive of The World of Glass Ron Helsby, with others getting involved to make the event such an overwhelming success.

Despite this, organisers were "shocked but over the moon" to learn they have been shortlisted for the Community Event of the Year at the Liverpool City Region Pride Awards alongside the House of Suarez Vogue Ball and Liverpool Transgender Day of Visibility.

The awards, in association with Merseyrail, aim to shine the spotlight on those working to make the Liverpool City Region the most LGBT+ friendly in the UK.

Miguel said: "I just feel so emotional and overwhelmed, we have been part of St Helens' first Pride, so to be recognised by the City region for that is just truly amazing.

"This started as a coversation, and from that so many great people like Emma and the council got involved and we had an amazing first pride in St Helens.

"I'm so proud of what we've achieved, people said St Helens was not ready, but the amount of people who showed up in the rain and danced and celebrated shows you that it is.

"This is more than just a one off event, it shows children that you will be accepted, it's ok and we as a community have pride in you and are here to accept you.

"That's what Pride is about and St Helens definitely has Pride."

Ron Helsby added: "We are elateds to be shortlisted because it's great for St Helens to show what we can do when we work together and encourages us to do even better next year,

"This shows the community that it is ok to be yourself, St Helens' first Pride was all about celebrating that and no matter if we win this award r not I'm immensely proud of what we have achieved."

The awards will be handed out at a star studded event at Liverpool's Hilton hotel on Thursday, September 26.

For more information go to lcrpride.co.uk/awards.