Barking and Dagenham Council are flying the rainbow flag over the town hall to mark the beginning of LGBT History Month.

Councillors, council employees and members of the public attended the flag raising.

This year marks 30 years since a law was introduced which prohibited local councils from ‘promoting homosexuality,’ and 15 years since it was repealed.

Cllr Sade Bright, cabinet member for equalities and cohesion, said: “As a council we have a role to play in ensuring all members of our community not only play an active role but that in the pursuit of growth for the benefit of everyone, no one will be left behind.”

The flag will be flown throughout February “as a symbol of the diversity and inclusivity we are all working hard to promote in Barking and Dagenham,” said a council spokesman.

There will be film screenings and poetry recitals during the month.