Drag kings and queens will be battling it out on Friday, August 27-  the opening night of the Big Weekend celebrations - for the honour of leading the Manchester Pride Parade the following day.

The finalists have been chosen over recent weeks by the bars and pubs in the gay village, all of which have been working hard to select their very own royal representative.

Tracy Walsh, from New York New York bar, said:
“The king and queen of Pride is a mega event. Hosted by the queen of the village himself, Miss Polly from Taurus bar, it has no shortage of contenders, and I certainly have a few village favourites of my own in mind.”

Jackie Crozier, festival director of Manchester Pride, said:
“I couldn't think of a more exciting event to kick-start the Big Weekend celebrations. Our Parade is one of the best in the country, so it’s only right that it should have royalty leading the way."

For more information visit:
www.manchesterpride.com