FROM bunting to afternoon tea, the people of Hampshire embraced their national identity with a celebration of all things English.

The county marked St George’s Day with a variety of events that saw flags hung from buildings and residents young and old all getting involved.

Former Southampton Itchen MP John Denham has led a campaign, backed by the Daily Echo, to get the St George flag flying and for people to be proud of their country.

Southampton mayor Cllr Sue Blatchford helped to start the festivities with a flag-raising ceremony at the Civic Centre, but the St George cross was also flying from the Bargate, the Civic Centre car park and the Grand Harbour Hotel in the city.

Children at the Polygon School in Southampton held an afternoon tea for the local community, while St George Catholic College held masses in recognition of St George, who legend has it slew a dragon.

Youngsters gathered at St Mary’s Stadium to present what they thought were the modern ‘dragons’ that needed to be defeated in society today, such as mental health and inequality.

Children from St Mary’s Church of England Primary and Thornhill Primary schools, as well as Itchen College, Richard Taunton’s College, Barton Peveril and City College showed off their ideas for a better England as part of the Our England project.

The Grand Cafe in Southampton threw a St George’s Day party, while volunteers for the Community Roots Project celebrated at the Sandhurst Road allotments.

The day culminated in the St George’s Day Festival at Southampton City College, hosted by former Saints manager Lawrie McMenemy.

Elsewhere across the county, in Eastleigh the Eastleigh Barbershop in Wells Place put up flags and offered half-price haircuts to anyone called George, which seven Georges and one Georgina took advantage of.