Gay pride celebrates 40th anniversary in London

Dressed as 1920 flappers, revellers enjoy the party atmosphere Photograph: Warren Allott/AFP/Getty Images

Members of the armed forces march in the parade marking the opening of the nine-day festival Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PA

A swashbuckling pair of pirates on the parade which ran from Broadcasting House to Trafalgar Square Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

The size of the event has grown enormously from an attendance of around 30,000 in 2004 to over a million expected this year Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PA

The parade ended near a stage which saw musicians and speakers entertain the crowd Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PA

As usual, one of the highlights of the parade was the array of outrageous costumes on show Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Waving from an open-top 286 bus, a reveller offers a royal wave Photograph: Paul Hackett/Reuters

Painted bodybuilders were used as a novel way of advertising Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

The traditional rainbow flag signifying gay pride is paraded in central London Photograph: Paul Hackett/Reuters

Drag queens were among the more glamorous attendees at the parade Photograph: Warren Allott/AFP/Getty Images