Exmouth’s annual celebration of diversity has added a new event for this year’s festivities.

Taking place on Saturday, June 30, Exmouth Pride will be working with the town’s Hive youth centre, in Imperial Road, to organise a series of ‘informal but informed’ LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) discussions during the day.

The festival will have its usual mix of music, colour and celebration in Manor Gardens and it is hoped these talks can enhance Exmouth Pride.

Organisers say they are hoping to build on the success of their talk tent discussion space last year and are launching the hashtag #justtalk

David Marston, of Exmouth Pride, said: “Pride has always been about celebrating diversity but there is a serious side to it as well and these discussions offer a valuable focus for that.

“We are really glad to be working with the team at The Hive on this.”

Transgender issues, religion, coming out stories and a zone for younger people to discuss issues such as bullying, self-image and sexual health are all among the themes on the agenda.

The day is being opened by town mayor Jeff Trail at 11am and the welcome return of samba party band the Breakbeat Bandits.

Music will continue with Mad For It and 10-piece swing band The Variable fronted by Exmouth singer Lance Vernon.

Entertainer Kyle Finn will be bringing a sense of fun to the day, while ‘alt folk’ singer Martin Weller and singer/songwriter Rowena will also be on stage at Manor Gardens.

Soul, motown and disco singer Mrs Jones will bring the event to a climax with the day finishing at 6.30pm.

As well as the range of entertainments, there will be a number of stalls offering information on various aspects of the LGBT community – including Devon-based advocacy group The Intercom Trust and Amnesty International – which campaigns for people imprisoned for their sexuality.

Organisers are hoping to build on the success of previous Exmouth Pride events and hope that people from the town and beyond will join them.

More details of the event are available by going to www.exmouthpride.co.uk