PATRIOTIC youngsters flew the flag for the Scouting movement, marching through the heart of their communities to salute St George.

Hundreds of smartly-dressed children braved unpredictable and showery conditions to put their best foot forward yesterday to honour their patron saint.

Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies, Rainbows and Beavers all got involved, even renewing their promise to underline their commitment.

Mike Hansen, district commissioner for the Orwell District, said an impressive 850 children turned out to march from Felixstowe Leisure Centre to the Spa Pavilion Theatre.

“It went very well,” added Mr Hansen. “It was a great attendance and everyone looked very smart.

“The children enjoyed it – it’s a big spectacle and it gets scouting out into the community. People were coming up to me and saying they did not know there was so many scouts in the area.

“Scouting gives children an outlook which they don’t get these days because of the cuts to youth services.”

Meanwhile Graham Parker, district commissioner for Wolsey, organised 400 children to mark along The Cornhill to St Mary le Tower church in Ipswich.

He said: “St George is the patron saint of scouts and the nearest we can get to St George’s Day we get together and make our promise, that can be formal parades or something else.

“It’s important to renew them because it’s the fundamental of the movement and it’s what we hope to live our lives by.

“I’m delighted with the turnout, it’s great not to be the only one here!

“It’s one of the very few occasions in the year when we get together and the spectacle of walking through the town showing off what we do is great.”