Crowds have started to gather in Cornmarket Street for this year’s Oxford Pride parade.

Hundreds of people are expected to march at noon from Ship Street to Oxpens Meadow, off Oxpens Road, for the annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture.

In the meadow, next to the ice rink, the annual fair will take place this afternoon with live music, stalls and dancing, and 3,000 visitors are expected.

Organiser Dave Legg said the theme of 2013 was “not there yet”, despite progress with the current bid for same-sex marriages.

He added: “We have a lot more rights now than we used to, but there are still 70-odd countries around the world where it’s still illegal to get married.

“We are now broadening our scope.”