HUNDREDS of people gathered in High Wycombe to watch the Scouts proudly parade their colours through the town to mark St George’s Day.

More than 500 scouts, cubs and beavers put on their uniforms and carried their group’s flag along the High Street and White Hart Street, and into All Saint’s Parish Church for a service attended by dignitaries.

Leading the 14 groups along the route past proud parents and patriotic shoppers was Roger Stevens. It was the 29th time the 79-year-old had led the parade after more than 50 years in the Scouts movement.

He said: "It’s something I enjoy, I like the great outdoors and I have just continued with it and do what I can to help.

"It’s an honour to lead the parade again and I intend to do one more to round it up to a nice round 30 figure.

"We’re the only organisation that does a parade for St George, we don’t do anything as a country, so this is a privilege."

The parade is held on the Sunday closest to St George's Day, who is also the patron saint of the Scouting movement, which falls on April 23.

This year’s organiser, John Webb, Scout Leader of the 11th High Wycombe and assistant of the High Wycombe Explorers, said: "It was a good turnout, the weather was kind and it was a very good parade."