A new rainbow flag has been hoisted onto a flagpole on Eel Pie Island to mark Pride Month 2021.

Edward Davies, long-term resident of Eel Pie Island, requested the flag from the Port of London Authority (PLA) who delivered it by boat to the island during an up-river patrol.

Alican ("AJ") Jennings, Nick Tennant, and Tony Handley of the PLA and residents of the island helped Davies and his partner Daniel to hoist the flag into the air.

Davies said: "I had been looking for this flag for a while and was very pleased when the PLA brought it.

"We arranged an impromptu reception party and the PLA guys promptly got into the spirit of celebration.

"Thanks to the PLA for once again coming to the rescue."

The PLA had the flags made for a river event marking the start of Pride Month on June 1, held at Woods Quay. (See the video at the top of this article for more info.).

Representatives and supporters of the tidal Thames' LGBT+ community gathered on the river to celebrate, in an event involving the London Fire Brigade, the Met Police, the RNLI, the Thames Skills Academy and Transport for London, as well as boat operators, rowing clubs and environmental charities, spanning the 95-mile course of the tidal river, from Teddington to the sea.

Robin Mortimer; PLA chief executive, said: "As Pride month gets under way, it's important to celebrate the LGBT+ community and ensure we continuously promote acceptance.

"The river is strengthened by the diversity of all those who help ensure it is a safe and attractive place, for everyone living and working along its banks, as well as for visitors.

"Our collective message to people with a professional, voluntary or recreational link to the river is clear: Whatever your sexual orientation, you are welcome."

Have you signed up for our weekly newsletter yet? Sign up HERE for the top Twickenham stories in your inbox each Friday!

To keep up to date with all our latest stories from Twickenham follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.