THE Stars and Stripes were unfurled over the ancestral home of America’s first president George Washington to mark the annual Fourth of July celebrations.

For the last 60 years, Washington Old Hall has marked Independence Day with a ceremony celebrating the region’s links with the United States.

After a reading from the Declaration of Independence, the Star Spangled Banner was raised and the American national anthem was sung.

Extracts from Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech were read by Abbie Boland Berry from Washington School and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” was led by children from Broadway Junior School.

Sarah Murray, manager at Washington Old Hall, said: “We’re continuing an Anglo-American friendship started by the preservation committee that saved Washington Old Hall in the 1930s”.

She added: “It’s wonderful to see so many local people taking part, as well as visiting Americans, and celebrating one of the most important holidays in the ancestral home of their first President”.

Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Doris MacKnight said: “This annual event is always a colourful one and one we can be very proud of.

“It’s always an honour representing our community and this is a very special occasion which symbolises our unique links with the United States and its capital city.”