BASINGSTOKE and Deane is set for its first ever Pride event after a new group revealed plans to support LGBT people in the borough.

Pride245 is an initiative set up by local volunteers with its core focus on education, celebration and inclusion.

Organisers from the group met last week to discuss its values and the possibility of the town having its own Pride festival – an event celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) culture.

Cllr Simon Bound, joint founder of Pride245, said: “Our exciting plans include an annual Pride245 festival when we will invite the entire community, LGBT and straight allies to come out and celebrate.

“We also hope to find many corporate and community organisations with the same core values as Pride245 to support our activities.”

He added: “We have a well skilled and motivated group for others to join if they are interested in shaping what happens with Pride245 in the future, all are welcome.”

Other activities Pride245 aims to promote include projects to support individuals around their gender identity and sexuality.

It will also join in with borough-wide activities surrounding the Jane Austen 200th anniversary by using its #PrideNotPrejudice hashtag theme during the year.

The group is encouraging people to come to its next meeting at Chute House on Monday, February 13 at 5.30pm to put forward more ideas and discuss other potential plans.

The idea for the borough’s first Pride event have been backed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’ s deputy leader Cllr Terri Reid.

The councillor, whose portfolio covers Arts and Heritage, said: “Every year we are looking to expand Basingstoke Festival and perhaps we could have sort of tie-in, I don’t know.

“But it will be a fantastic addition to enlivening Basingstoke. It will in crease our profile as a thriving, bright and accepting community.”

Visit facebook.com/Pride245 for details and to get involved.