YOUNG people flew the flag as parades were held to celebrate St George's Day across South and West Dorset.

Dorchester, Weymouth and Portland all hosted events in honour of England's patron saint.

More than 200 Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides and Brownies from Dorchester and surrounding villages took part in their annual parade in the county town.

They were joined on the march to United Church in South Street by Dorchester Mayor Molly Rennie.

Assistant District Commissioner Pam March, said: "The weather was perfect and it was fantastic to see the church filled for the service."

The service saw Joseph Walsh hand over the reigns of Mayor's Scout to Daniel Thomas.

Pam, who has been involved in scouting since 1988, added: "There's a really healthy interest in scouting in Dorchester and the surrounding area which is great to see. The only real problem we have is getting leaders." Anyone interested in becoming a leader can contact Pam on 01305 264185.

Crowds flocked to a St George's Day fair on Fordington Green.

Coun Rennie opened the event to the sounds of the Durnovaria Silver Band and the event raised £1,745.95 for Dorchester Parish Churches and charitiess.

Attractions included face painting, welly throwing and a bouncy castle. Choir music and handbell ringing were staged inside St George's Church and there were displays by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Swanage Steam Railway.

Vernon Moffet, a member of the St George's events committee, said: "Everyone had an excellent day"

St George's Day was celebrated in style at St George's Infant School on Portland, where all activities were combined with National Story Telling Day. There were loads of St Georges and princesses rescued from the dragon in the fancy dress parade, in which staff and the 160 pupils took part.

All members of staff wore red roses in honour of England's patron saint and teachers went from classroom to classroom telling stories, some familiar and others new, to the young pupils.

The tale of St George and the Dragon was well illustrated in a play performed by the staff.

Dressed in a silver costume and wearing St George's flag as a cloak, teacher Samantha Hemp made a splendid saintly knight and Helen Williams was the fearsome dragon in the short and simple play, which was written and directed by Anne White and narrated by headteacher Sylvia Redfern.

More than 150 people turned out to march in the Weymouth Scouts; St George's parade.

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and leaders from Weymouth, Portland, Abbotsbury and Portesham marched from the JobCentre car park to Holy Trinity Church on North Quay.

Geoff Wheatley, Group Scout Leader for Weymouth South, who has been involved with scouting for more than 20 years, said: "We couldn't have wished for better weather. The traffic was very patient and let us all through." The children aged from six years to 15 carried more than 21 flags for their sections in addition to Union flags.