SCOUTS took to the streets of Bridport to mark St George's Day celebrations with a parade.

Hundreds of youngsters from Dorchester and West Dorset district scout groups paraded through the town on Sunday, before a service at St Mary's Church - where awards were handed out to leaders and scouts.

Dorchester and West Dorset District Scouts commissioner Barry Thomas, said: "It went extremely well. It would have been perfect if we had been able to get a band there for the day, but unfortunately that wasn't possible.

"Altogether, there are 19 scout groups in the Dorchester and West Dorset area. We have around 900 scout members and we think approximately 400 of them were there on Sunday.

"It is always really poplar with our members. St George is our patron saint and we usually get a really good turnout. St George stood up for the oppressed and his values were very much in line with those of the scouts."

The group alternates the event venues between Bridport, Dorchester and Sherborne every year. After meeting at the Bridport scout hut, the members marched through the coach station, along Tannery Road and down West Street. The procession then turned down South Street, finishing at St Mary's Church.

Awards were handed out during a church service to scouts and leaders. Bronze awards were given to 24 beavers, aged between six and eight, while 12 cubs, aged between eight and ten received silver awards. Six scouts, aged between ten and 14 years old, were given their gold awards.

"The young people, which we are most interested in, did absolutely brilliantly" added Mr Thomas. "We had a lot of them reaching the top awards they can for their age group.

"The adult leaders' awards were handed out to those with a collective service of more than 420 years between them. When people get involved, they tend to like it and they stay with us. We also had five leaders who had finished their training and they were presented with their wooden beads.

"It is really so we are able to recognise their years of service and the effort that the young people put in to get these awards. It shows a real passion and commitment."

The scouts would like to thank Bridport Town Council, Mayor Maggie Ray and Dorset Police for helping to organise the event.