LGBTQ people and allies will gather for an annual Pride celebration in Oxfordshire this weekend - and organisers have urged police to stay away.

This year's Pride event in Abingdon will kick off in Abbey Gardens at 1pm on Saturday.

Organisers from Abingdon Queer Action confirmed that the celebration, which had to be held online last year due to the pandemic, will start with a march through the town and will be followed be a Pride picnic.

There will also be a sound system in place for anyone who wishes to sing or perform.

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The group has already warned that there will be no commercial stalls as this is a community event.

Instead, participants will be offered colourful wristbands, badges and mini Pride and Black Lives Matter flags.

In a message on social media, a spokesperson for Abingdon Queer Action said: "The picnic is family friendly, please respect the park and others.

"Please be mindful of personal space and Covid-19 safety.

"No police, no military, no banks and no corporations."

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