“Members of An Garda Síochána, their families and friends are all invited to take part and join members from the PSNI and their colleagues from Great Britain,” the Garda press office confirmed on Monday, as reported in the Irish Times.

“Garda members may, with permission, take part in uniform. Attendance at the event is at the Garda member’s own expense,” the statement added.

PSNI vehicles have been branded with rainbow colours for Pride weekend, with messages encouraging people to report anti-gay hate crime if they experience or witness it.

Members of the PSNI have been marching at Belfast Pride for years, but this is the first time they will march in uniform.

This week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also confirmed that he will be attending an official Belfast Pride event this year.

The Belfast Pride Parade will take place this Saturday, August 5. Full details of the festivities are available here.