SCOUTS from across Basingstoke turned out in force to celebrate St George's Day with a parade through the town centre on Sunday afternoon.

About 300 Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Sea Scouts, Air Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Beavers from the Basingstoke East District met outside the Red Lion Hotel, London Street, for the parade.

They marched to Trinity Methodist Church, Sarum Hill, escorted and accompanied by the Old Basing Royal British Legion Corps of Drums.

At the church, a service of rededication took place, conducted by the church youth worker, Steve Moss.

The borough mayor, Cllr Gwen Richardson, was present and a collection was taken in aid of the Karibuni Trust, a charity working to help disadvantaged children in Africa.

After the service, the youngsters marched back to the town centre, stopping off at The Willis Museum to salute Cllr Richardson and senior scouting leaders from the district.

From there, the procession proceeded to Upper Wote Street, where the parade was dismissed.

Bob Lock, Basingstoke East district commissioner, said: "The event went very well and the church service was really good."

Gazette Newspapers has been running a campaign to raise the profile of St George's Day since July.

More than 750 people signed our petition calling for it to be declared a national holiday.

The request was presented to MP Andrew Rosindell, who has been leading the fight for St George's Day to be recognised in this way.

First published: Wednesday, April 27, 2005