Andover's Guildhall is flying the rainbow flag to join councils across Hampshire supporting the county's Pride week. 

Hampshire Pride will be hosting a carnival style procession through the streets of Winchester on Saturday, and deputy leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Nick Adams-King will be attending an informal reception at the county council offices for the event.

The reception is expected to host around 300 people from the LGBT community.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Phil North said: “I am pleased that we are flying the flag to show our support for our LGBT community and that we will be represented at the Hampshire Pride event.

"Test Valley is an increasingly diverse community and this is one of many initiatives the council is proud to support to celebrate that diversity.”

Last Saturday, Andover town centre held an event to engage the public in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Questioning and others (LGBTQ+) issues, such as reporting hate crime. 

LGBT youth group, Breakout Youth, worker Flower Desborough who attended the day with Hampshire Constabulary lesbian and gay liason officer PSCO Lee Thubron and Test Valley mayor Councillor Carl Borg-Neal said the day was really 'positive and encouraging'.

She said: "Our visit to the town centre on Saturday was a really positive and encouraging event. There was a real sense of an embracing, warm and open minded community in Andover. 

“It’s wonderful to feel so welcomed and to really get a sense of moving forward with support for the LGBTQ+ community."