THE Floral Pavilion and Wallasey Town Hall will be lit up in the colours of LGBT+ flags as part of a two-week celebration of diversity.

They are among a host of Merseyside venues bathed in light as part of the Liverpool Pride's spectacular third Come Out of the Shadows festival, taking place from tomorrow until Thursday, August 2.

Last year, 46 buildings across Liverpool City Region were adorned in rainbow colours to raise awareness of LGBT+ hate crimes and the city as LGBT+ friendly.

This year following a transphobic attack at this year's Pride In London, Liverpool Pride organisers have asked partners to show their support by lighting their buildings in pink, blue and white, the international colours of the Trans flag.

Come out the Shadows will therefore light buildings in both Rainbow and Trans colours to symbolise solidarity and a united community.

This colourful display promotes unity and acceptance and underpins the 2018 theme; #ALLTOGETHERNOW, sending clear messages locally, nationally and internationally that the Liverpool City Region is visibly LGBT+ friendly and proud to be diverse.

St John's Beacon in Liverpool will also shine bright for the duration of the campaign.

Two short films exploring hate crime through the eyes of the LGBT+ community will also be premiered. Both will be available over social media during the Pride Festival, before being shared with local partners for wider educational purposes.

Michael Carey, from Liverpool Pride Festival, said: "Our aim is simple, to challenge hate crime. This year in remembrance of Michael Causer who died 10 years ago following a homophobic attack, Come Out of the Shadows has been extended to August 2.

“It also seems fitting that in light of the transphobic incident at London Pride that we illuminate the sky in the colours of both the LGBT+ and Trans flags ensuring the message of equality for all is spread across the Liverpool City Region.

“This spectacle of colour has real meaning and supported by key partners across Liverpool City Region, we ask you to reflect on why this campaign is important and to help us change attitudes to make LGBT+ hate crime a thing of the past.”

A full list of buildings participating in Come Out of the Shadows can be found at www.liverpoolpride.co.uk