FIREFIGHTERS from across Swindon and Wiltshire are all set to take part in this weekend's Pride parade with their big red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple fire engine. 

Members of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will this weekend parade their colours around Old Town as they get involved with the 10th anniversary of Swindon and Wiltshire Pride.

Rex Webb, the service’s equality, inclusion and cultural change manager, is as keen as ever to mark the occasion.

Rex, who has been involved with Swindon and Wiltshire Pride since its inception 10 years ago, said: “The reason we take part in Pride is to celebrate diversity and to show we are an inclusive organisation that welcomes everybody regardless of their background.

“We believe that people should be able to be themselves in the workplace and we will show the LGBT community, and the community as a whole, that we are committed to that.”

The theme for this year’s event is ‘celebrating freedom’ and Rex and the team hope to be able to bring their big rainbow coloured fire engine to join them in the parade.

Saturday’s Pride event will begin with a grand parade in Old Town before setting up in Town Gardens where the Fire service will have a stand offering information on fire safety and ways to get involved.

Rex added: “We think things like this are important because we want people to feel comfortable to be who they are in the workplace.

“There will be a number of people from across the organisation who will be taking part in the parade and we will be on hand afterwards to give people advice on fire safety.

“I always look forward to taking part in these events. It’s great to get out there and talk to the public and to give them a chance to come and meet us.”

If you’re planning on attending the event, don’t forget to say hello to Rex and the team and be sure to get a selfie in front of the rainbow fire engine.