SCOUTS, Beavers, Cubs and Guides gathered yesterday for a St George's Day parade.

More than 100 members of the Bishop Auckland Scout District took part in the event, which was hosted by the 1st Sedgefield Scout Group.

A service at St Edmund's Church, Sedgefield, was led by the Reverend Martin King. The standards of the new Explorer Scouts and 1st Sedgefield Beaver Scouts groups were blessed.

The Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Ken Campbell, and the chairwoman of Wear Valley District Council, Councillor Margaret Pinkney, attended the celebrations.

The Bishop Auckland Scout District includes Bishop Auckland, Escomb, Coundon, Byers Green, Spennymoor, Tudhoe, Ferryhill, Chilton, West Cornforth, Trimdon, Fishburn, Sedgefield, Newton Aycliffe, Shildon and St Helen Auckland.

Assistant District Commissioner Ian Johnson said: "We had a good day. The service was refreshingly different with some lively songs and the Explorer Scouts were able to fly their flag for the very first time afterwards."