Photos of Brighton's first Pride march rediscovered after decades in drawer

Video report by ITV News Meridian's Kit Bradshaw

One of the country's biggest Pride festivals was meant to happen this weekend in Brighton and Hove before it was cancelled because of coronavirus.

However, despite the public celebrations not happening this year, newly discovered photos have shed fresh light on the origins of the incredibly popular LGBT+ event.

The photos show members of the Sussex Gay Liberation Front protesting in the summer of 1973; Brighton's original Pride march.

The snaps were taken for a local newspaper but never printed.

The negatives were left to gather dust for almost 50 years in a desk drawer.

Alf Le Flohic, and historian from Gay Brighton Past said: "Brighton Pride these days is a massive event - a couple of hundred thousand people turn up.

"You can see from these photos, there's just 20 people. They could be sacked from their jobs, lose their housing, that kind of stuff, but they went ahead and did it anyway.

"I think it reminds everybody how scary a thing it was to do, and how brave they were."

The seven photographs will be on display throughout August on St James's Street which is usually the home of a major Pride party.

While thousands of marchers won't be parading the city's streets this weekend, some will be raising a glass to those who were brave enough to take the first step.