OUTGOING Haslemere mayor Sahran Abeysundara raised a rainbow flag to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the day before the end of his mayoral year.

Mr Abeysundara said: “Tonight, as we stand together to raise the rainbow flag over our truly blessed little town, we are reminded of the millions of people across the world that do not have the freedoms we enjoy here in the

UK. As I raise this symbol of our enlightened accomplishments, at least in this corner of the human race, I am greatly honoured to say I am proud to be gay and a citizen of this great country.”

Pictured from the left are The mayor’s consort Howard Bicknell, Mayor Sahran Abeysundara, and Rev Jide Macaulay from the House of Rainbow