THE FIRST ever officially branded Pride bus has been unveiled in memory of a much-loved drag queen and charity fundraiser.

A Brighton and Hove Bus has been given a colourful makeover to celebrate the 25th Brighton Pride to be held this weekend.

The bus has been named in honour of Phil Starr in recognition for half a century of performances across the world raising thousands of pounds for charity in the process.

Mr Starr, born James Arthur Fuller, became a performing legend in the city and beyond before his death at the age of 73 in October 2005.

Paul O’Grady paid tribute to his fellow drag performer on his own TV show following his death while close friends and Eastenders’ stars June Brown and Hilda Braid were among hundreds to attend his funeral and celebrate his life.

His last show was at the cabaret bar Legends in the New Europe Hotel, Marine Parade, 14 years after he was the first performer at the venue.

Poignantly his final number, just days before his death at the Starrs hotel in the New Steine he had just taken over the running of, was a cover of Dame Vera Lynn’s wartime classic We’ll Meet Again.

The eye-catching addition to the company’s fleet is now in general circulation and daily use all around the city and can be caught on a variety of routes.

Pride organisers said it “felt appropriate” that the first Pride bus should be named in honour of someone who had done so much to support the annual Pride event in Brighton and Hove.

Paul Kemp, director of Brighton Pride said, "We are thrilled that Brighton and Hove buses have joined other prominent city businesses to support Pride in our city in this our 25th Anniversary year.

“This is just the start of an ongoing relationship that includes a dedicated bus and shuttle service from the Pride campsite as well as exciting all year round promotional activity with the Pride bus."

Nick Hill, head of commercial development for Brighton and Hove Buses, said: "We are proud to promote diversity in this vibrant, wonderful city and are delighted to help celebrate 25 years of Pride in such a colourful way."