YORK'S first LGBT+ café has hit its £5,000 start up fund target 10 days early with the support of over 250 people.

Nelli Mooney, a 25-year old Finnish born non-binary interdisciplinary artist and art director, is behind Lunar Café - an up and coming safe space in the heart of York city centre with its own trans hair salon.

From coffee, cake and poetry evenings to an arts space and LGBT+ choir singing, Nelli is hopeful the fund will allow them to "build up over time" with bigger and better activities and events.

The cafe is expected to open in July.

Read more details: Weddings, trans hair stylists and coffee: Plans for York's first LGBT+ cafe

"It feels amazing," they told The Press.

"I didn't expect it to hit so soon. I'm thrilled and just over the moon.

"These past weeks have shown the absolute necessity of a place like Lunar Cafe in York - which is open for everyone!

"Having a dedicated safe space for LGBTQIA+ folk guarantees a wonderful environment that accepts, supports and empowers those who are still targeted around the world (even in our beautiful city of York).

"Hitting this target also means that we can start somewhere and build up over time in order to hold small wedding ceremonies, accommodate LGBT+ choirs and have better accessibility for the disabled members of the community.

"Lunar Cafe customers will be of a vast variety - teenagers who are scared to come out to their parents, LGBTQIA+ rights advocates, drag artists, those who are curious and those who want to dress up and embrace their queerness! See you there!"

Those who pledged their support left hundreds of comments with one parent writing they want to raise their son "in a place of acceptance and celebrate all things LGBTQ+".

In an emotional message, one person said "If 15 year old me had access to a space like this I think I would have felt a lot less alone in my identity, so I can't wait to see the positive impact this will have on LGBTQ+ youth in York today!"

"Having a sober place for queer people of all ages and identities to hang out is so exciting and important," another said.