A TOWN hall displayed the LGBTQ flag for the first time in its history to mark the start of Pride month.

The rainbow colours were seen hanging from the home of Witham Town Council on June 1 to show its support for members of the LGBTQ community.

The town council has announced it has also appointed independent councillor Chelsea Jay to the newly created role of LGBTQ ambassador.

Miss Jay will be responsible for running a new community group aimed at connecting LGBTQ people.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted that for the first time in Witham Town Council's history, a position now exists to represent the LGBTQ community here in our town.

"I was deeply inspired by Witham being the first town in Essex to receive the Pride in Practise Gold Award by the LGBTQ Foundation for Fern House Surgery’s incredible efforts in stepping up to meet the needs of their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients.

"One of my personal goals getting into politics in my hometown, was to really help breakdown the 'in the dark ages' culture of local politics and to move forward in terms of aligning with the national scope which is a seeing the new face of British politics being one of diversity.

"Local councils need to catch up."