HUNDREDS of people took to the streets at the weekend as the region celebrated England's patron saint.Parades took place in towns and villages with fine weather contributing to the party mood.

HUNDREDS of people took to the streets at the weekend as the region celebrated England's patron saint.

Parades took place in towns and villages with fine weather contributing to the party mood.

St George, along with other historical characters in costume, was in Woodbridge on Saturday riding a white horse along the Thoroughfare and up to Market Hill between 11am and noon.

More than 40 England flags were flying over the town to mark the day, which began with a Suffolk Punch stallion on Market Hill, and Morris dancers entertaining the crowds.

For children, there were face painters and people making balloon animals in the streets and the library in New Street also held Dragon Day events reciting dragon stories and poems.

Yvonne McAlpine, of the Georgian Coffee House, who led the volunteers organising the activities, said: "We did it for the first time last year, and it was a great success.

"Now we are building on that, and getting tremendous commitment from people in the town. Stores, pubs, restaurants, the library, the Rotarians and the town's oldest school are all pitching in."

Elsewhere early-risers flocked to a farmer's market at Easton Farm Park to celebrate the day with a traditional English fry-up.

The event, co-hosted with the Country Land and Business Association, used local produce and included entry to the farm park, which was holding its monthly market.

In Felixstowe, scouts, cubs, beavers, guides, brownies and rainbows and their leaders yesterday took part in a traditional parade along the prom, carrying the standards of their units, watched by proud parents and visitors enjoying the seaside sunshine.

They marched from the leisure centre to the Spa Pavilion theatre, where a service was held, led by the Rev Peter Harris, curate at St Mary's Church, Walton.

In Ipswich, scouts marked the day with a special parade through the town yesterday.

The Wolsey District and Orwell District scouts marched from the Cornhill along Tavern Street to Northgate Street, after which the Wolsey scouts went to Bethesda Church and the Orwell scouts to St Pancras Church.

Meanwhile the sun-baked streets of Bury St Edmunds were busy with spectators yesterday for the annual St George's Day parade.

Hundreds of boy scouts, cubs, girl guides, brownies, sea scouts and members of the Boys' Brigade made up the body of the parade which snaked through the streets to the heart of the medieval town to the tune of various marching bands.

In perfect formation they filed past the crowds gathered to witness the spectacle on Angel Hill and past the cathedral, before taking part in a special St George's Day service.