PARADES in honour of England's patron saint took place in towns across the county at the weekend.

PARADES in honour of England's patron saint took place in towns across the county at the weekend.

St George's Day, which fell on Thursday this year, was marked in Bury St Edmunds, Saxmundham and Felixstowe with a host of special events.

In Bury there was a parade from Ram Meadow past the historic Abbey Gardens and ending up at St Mary's Church yesterday.

Some 800 people packed into the church to watch beavers, scouts and guides re-take their vows and St Edmundsbury mayor Bob Cockle was at a civic reception held afterwards.

Paul Stafford, the deputy district commissioner of Bury St Edmunds scouts, said: “The centre of Bury was absolutely packed and it was a fantastic afternoon for us.”

In Saxmundham they made sure everyone knew whose day it was, with St George flags lining the street.

An English-themed food fayre also took place and a marching band went through the town.

St George was commemorated with a parade in Felixstowe, which wound its way from the pier along Undercliff Road West to the Spa Pavilion, with a service then taking place in the theatre.