In just a few days’ time Gallery Square will be alive with the sound of music and laughter as this year’s Walsall Pride comes to life – with support from sexual health staff.

Staff from Walsall Integrated Sexual Health (WiSH) will be at the free event from 11am this Saturday 25 August, ready to have a chat to visitors and offer free screening, advice and condoms.

Colin Morris, WiSH outreach worker, said: “The relaxed, easy going atmosphere at Walsall Pride is an ideal opportunity for people of all ages to approach us to talk about their sexual health.

“We’re very welcoming and want to reassure visitors that they can ask us absolutely anything. We’re non-judgemental and just want to offer support to ensure people are safe and well.”

WiSH will provide free sexual health checks, including HIV, syphilis and gonorrhoea tests. Self-testing Chlamydia kits will also be available at the event.

“Anyone who is tested can tell us how they’d prefer to be notified of their results – such as by text or another method  – and should they need treatment we can arrange for this  to be provided in Walsall or nearer to their home if they live out of the area.”

Walsall Pride’s headliner will be X Factor favourite Seann Miley Moore, with tributes to Lady Ga Ga and Alison Moyet joining upcoming London boy band Omyo, Abbasalute, Kelly Wilde, Booty Luv and Big Brovaz, with X Factor’s Amrick Channa. See www.walsallpride.org for more information.