A BOAT party along the River Severn will begin the countdown towards Worcestershire Pride.

For the third year running, the city will be celebrating its LGBT community and an 80-strong party will again take to the water to kick things off.

Organised by Vince Monte and Tomas Easterlow, the boat party will depart from North Quay and then cruise along the River Severn to Diglis before returning.

Hosted by Annie Rexic, DJs and a host of drag queens, many of whom are from the local area, will perform including Alicia Lashes, Isabel End, Miss Pandy La’Roux and Marla B.Zarre.

Misty Monique, Paul Aleksandr, Rachael Starla and Eva Fliction will also perform.

Mr Monte, said: "We've got lots of drag queens and DJs appearing on the night.

"We wanted to keep the acts as local as possible so it really feels like a Worcestershire Pride and focuses on what is going on around Worcester.

"We're trying to push as much local talent as possible.

"It's going to be bigger and better than ever before.

"We've got about 80 places on the boat like previous years but the after party looks set to be really well attended.

An after party will be held at The Courtyard in St Nicholas Street.

The boat party was originally due to set sail in April but has been postponed until at least June.

Money raised will go to the HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust.

The boat party has become an annual tradition for the LGBT community in recent years.

The first boat party set off from the city's North Quay in 2016 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Tickets can be purchased at ticketsource.co.uk/date/475071.