Double celebration on St George's Day

More than 500 Scouts, aged six to 25, from the Arundel and Littlehampton Scout District held their traditional parade through the town, watched by large crowds on Sunday.

And after marching up the hill to the cathedral, they took part in a special service to renew the Scouts' Promise.

The 1st East Preston Scout Group organised the service and encouraged all those in the congregation to take an active part in the story of St George and the dragon.

Members of Littlehampton-based Nautical Training Corps unit TS Implacable once again joined in the service by renewing their Code of Honour, and the unit's band and the district Scout band provided the music during the parade.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Scout district held a special reception for Chief Scout Award recipients from the Beaver and Cub sections at St Nicholas' Church.

Fittingly, in the centenary year, 100 award certificates were presented by the Rev Keith Richards to young people aged eight to 12, who had gained their Bronze and Silver Chief Scout's awards in the last year.

Julie Dixon, district commissioner, said: "This year marks the centenary of Scouting and we try to show through events like our St George's Day celebrations that Scouting is as active today as it has been over the last 100 years."

Guests at the celebrations included the mayor and mayoress of Arundel, Colin and Jackie Heriot, Stephen Haymes, chairman of Arun District Council, Shirley Cleall, county Scout chairman, Dave Spring, assistant county commissioner, and Littlehamp-ton mayor and mayoress, Malcolm and Shirley Belchamber.