The line-up has been announced for this year’s Chester Pride festival with R 'n' B girl group Stooshe bringing attitude and energy to the headline slot with their hits ‘Black Heart’ and ‘Waterfalls’.

Chester Pride takes place on Saturday October 1 with a parade through the city centre from noon followed by entertainment on the M&S Bank main stage in Castle Square by Chester Crown Court from 1-7pm.

Pride remains a free event and is a celebration of diversity and support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Joining headliners Stooshe, are dance duo Booty Luv, Saffron - lead singer of 90’s Brit Pop band Republica , 90s singer and Eurovision entrant Nikki French and 80s pop star Hazell Dean.

Chester Pride 2016 takes place on Saturday October 1 at Castle Square

Adding to the fun will be vocalist Danny Beard, semi-finalist in Britain’s Got Talent, Ru Paul’s UK Drag Ambassador The Vivienne, Freddie Mercury tribute ‘Pure Magic’, plus local acts including alternative folk rock duo Me and Deboe, pop singer Jason Dignam, drag queen Shagger – sponsored by the Old Queens Head – and the winner of Chester Pride’s Got Talent.

Helen Pickin-Jones, chair of Chester Pride, said: “We have a diverse range of celebrity and local acts on our M& S Bank main stage, from 90s Brit pop to R ‘n’ B.

“We can’t wait. This line up is one of our best yet! And it’s not just the main stage to look forward to; we have two further stages providing entertainment - our alternative stage The Glitter Lounge, hosted this year in partnership with MBNA and Bank of America; and the Drum with Our Hands Original Music Tent, showcasing local talent from record label Drum With Our Hands.

“There will also be plenty to see on site, with a marketplace, the Health, Life and Wellbeing zone for information and advice, a fun fair and children’s activities. We will also have a limited number of Barefoot Wine VIP area tickets available at £15 for front of stage viewing plus a few extra perks, which will go on sale mid August.”

Chester Pride 2015

Chester Pride 2016 sponsors include M&S Bank, Cheshire West and Chester Council, MBNA/Bank of America, Barefoot Wine, Drum With Our Hands, DTCC, Deva Tuk Tuk, Brightlife, Russell and Russell Solicitors, The Williams Family Foundation, Cheshire Police, Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership Trust, Old Queens Head, Cheshire Hellcats Roller Derby and Jane Lewis.

To keep up to date with all the Chester Pride news, upcoming fundraisers and further announcements visit the website, or follow twitter @chesterpride, or Facebook page ‘Chester Pride UK’.