Manchester is set for a ten day party to celebrate the 18th birthday of its Pride celebrations.

The organisers have lined up everything from treasure hunts and poetry evenings to group civil partnership and cheerleading lessons.

Early bird tickets for the festival’s four-day Big Weekend, taking place from 22 to 25 August, go on sale on 1 May and cost £12.50.

Information about the artists that will be performing on the main stage will be confirmed closer to the event.

“Our 18th birthday was always going to be something of a milestone," said Andrew Stokes, chairman of Manchester Pride.

"We’ve grown to become one of the biggest LGBT events in the world and have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and HIV organisations across the Northwest."

This year, to highlight the fact the event is "coming of age" in its 18th year, organisers are seeking contributions from people about their first Pride, for an exhibition being held at the Urbis centre in Manchester.

"I’m really pleased with the programme of ten-day events this year," said Jackie Crozier, festival manager of Manchester Pride.

“There’s no doubt the Big Weekend is the crowd-puller, but the events taking place in the days leading up to that are really good and I’m confident they’ll prove a hit with the public.”

The full programme of events for Manchester Pride, which is sponsored by the Gaydar brands, can be found at www.manchesterpride.com