Extra train services will be in place for Brighton Pride next month.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) which operates Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express routes will run additional services and lengthen some of its trains to take crowds to and from the event.

This will provide increased capacity to help people travel safely to the many different events held across the city throughout Pride weekend, which kicks off on Friday, August 4.

Thousands are expected to flock to Brighton for the annual Pride parade, the festival in Preston Park and other festivities.

Along with an increased number of services, GTR will bring back its rainbow queueing system at Brighton Station to help customers identify the correct route as they leave the city.

The green queue will lead to the East Coastway towards Lewes, Seaford and Eastbourne, while the purple queue will be assigned for West Coastway services towards Shoreham, Worthing and Chichester, with the blue queue for trains on the Brighton Main Line heading to Haywards Heath, Gatwick Airport and London.

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Jenny Saunders, customer service director at GTR, said: “Brighton and Hove Pride is a huge event for the city, where people from all over the UK travel to Sussex to celebrate LGBTQ+ artists and allies.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the city’s diverse community and all that Brighton and Hove has to offer during this fun-filled weekend.

“We are also reminding passengers to be patient and courteous to other travellers and railway staff, who will be going above and beyond to make sure everyone gets home safely.

“Our services will be busier than usual during Pride so passengers should allow plenty of time to travel home.”

Preston Park and London Road stations will be closed during Pride weekend to help manage crowds safely.

A football match is planned to go ahead at the Amex Stadium on August 6, clashing with the final day of Pride festivities.

Passengers are urged to check their journey before they travel, with warnings that plans may be disrupted.