STAFF from all three emergency services are set to back this year's York Pride by taking part in the big parade through the city centre.

A fire engine and an ambulance are to be decorated in the rainbow colours which symbolise the Pride celebrations, and police officers are planning to march in the parade, which takes place this year on Saturday June 9.

Alistair Gunn, chair of the Yorkshire Ambulance LGBT Network, said the Yorkshire Ambulance Service was proud to be taking part in York Pride this year and would be decorating a vehicle to take part alongside the other emergency services.

"Although the design of the vehicle is still being worked on, it will incorporate the rainbow star of life symbol that was created in Yorkshire and used nationally to represent our work to support LGBT patients and colleagues," he said.

"The rainbow star of life symbol is a fusion of the internationally recognised symbol of pre-hospital emergency care and the rainbow flag representing the LGBT community."

Stuart Simpson, York & Selby Group Manager at North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, said a fire engine based at the Kent Street fire station would be decorated in the rainbow colours.

"We are working in collaboration with York St John University to create our own unique design for the fire appliance wrap," he said.

"The plan I believe is for the fire engine to lead the parade."

Detective Inspector Michelle Falkingham, chair of the North Yorkshire Police LGBT staff network, said officers and staff from the force had confirmed they would march again in this years Pride event in York.

"Many of those marching themselves identify as part of the LGBT+ community and are very excited and proud to have this opportunity to represent North Yorkshire Police, along with colleagues, and to join forces with colleagues from the other emergency services," she said.

Last year's Pride parade from York Minster to the Knavesmire for an afternoon of celebrations was kicked off by a message of support from Gandalf himself. Actor Sir Ian McKellan sent his support for the event via a video which was played to the crowds.

The event made history as every single state secondary school took part in the parade; it was thought to be the first time in the world that an LGBT Pride event had achieved the full inclusion of its local schools.