BUSINESSES and organisations around York are showing their support ahead of the city's Pride event this weekend.

The annual celebration for York and North Yorkshire's LGBT community will take place on Saturday, and support has been shown with rainbow flags and cakes shared around the city this week.

On Tuesday, more than 60 staff at Benenden's offices at Holgate Park Drive dressed in rainbow colours to mark the company's sponsorship of the event.

Paul Keenan, Benenden's head of communications, said: "We’ve been the main sponsor of York Pride now for a number of years and it’s a great organisation to be involved with. Their aim to promote diversity and equality is one which is integral to us here at Benenden."

Organisations were encouraged to 'Raise The Rainbow' and show their support for the event, which will begin with a parade including a 50m long rainbow flag being marched from the Minster at 11.30am on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Councillor Carol Runciman cut a rainbow cake at West Offices on Wednesday, and rainbow flags have been raised at Bootham Terrace and York's Castle Museum.

For full details of Saturday's event and for more information about the Pride Parade, go to yorkpride.org.uk/york-pride-2015