A VIVID spectrum of revellers danced among the dreaming spires in celebration of Oxford's diversity.

The river of rainbow-coloured crowds flowed through the city's historic streets on Saturday for Oxford Pride, which has been staged annually since 2002 to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

Thousands of people gathered in Radcliffe Square for the start of the midday parade, which was proudly peppered with a clutch of rainbow flags and garlands.

Spectacular outfits included glittery rainbow leotards and daring drag ensembles, and many joined the parade alongside Oxford-based organisations and LGBTQ groups.

Emergency services were among those to take part, including South Central Ambulance Service, Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service - with one firefighter even sporting a glittery beard for the occasion.

The latter's chief fire officer Simon Furlong said: "We just want to celebrate diversity within the community we serve and welcome everybody's differences.

"Inclusion is a big thing for us, to bring in [to the fire service] people of different genders and sexual orientations."

The parade was led by a rainbow-striped bus, courtesy of Oxford Bus Company.

Its managing director Phil Southall said: "Oxford Pride is a fantastic occasion for the city and the county.

"We are proud to be part of it and to help celebrate and promote diversity."

Among party-goers sporting a fabulously eye-catching outfit was Gregory Bowen, who also goes by his drag name Her Who What Him.

The 19-year-old student, who lives in Appleton, spoke positively about the inclusivity of Pride.

Mr Bowen, who happily described himself as a '6"5 glamazon', said: "I love the fact people can finally be open and accepted.

"It's just nice to feel like you're something greater than you are.

"I hope me being this helps other people to realise what they can and want to be."

Also wearing incredible outfits were members of the OxPHWOARd burlesque and drag show, and Oxfordshire Drag Collective.

Group member Aleksandr Arkhon said: "We try to do stuff that's a bit further out.

"Drag for us is about freedom, expression and performance."

His friend Pom Pom added: "It's a method of expressing myself - I'm a trans male and this expresses my femininity in a manner that allows me to be more comfortable with my body.

"When I put this makeup on, it calms me and makes me feel at home in my skin."

Fellow performer Jizzella added: "It's a way to express my more feminine side - it's a healthy sense of freedom to be yourself without judgement."

This year's Oxford Pride festival theme was 'true colours'.

Crowds gathered for performances at Oxford Castle Quarter, and Oxford Gospel Choir sang a version of the True Colours song.

The Oxford Pride programme ran from May 25 until today, with events across the city.

Oxford Pride published a letter from Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds on its Facebook page, which thanked organisers and volunteers for seeing the event go from strength to strength.

She wrote that it has 'never been more important to campaign for LGBT rights' and people must continue to work to 'stamp out' discrimination.