Those acquainted with the tale of St George and the dragon would have enjoyed the celebrations which dominated a shopping street today.

George Street in Hove was festooned with the red and white flag of St George, the patron saint of England, as hundreds of people gathered to celebrate England's saints day.

Children from St Andrew's CofE Primary School, St Christopher's Primary and Davigdor Infants schools, all in Hove, dressed as knights and princesses to take part in the parade which was arranged by Sparkles and Surprises, an organisation run by Jacqui Dolton, which raises money to take children with complex special needs and their families, on holiday.

She said: "Last year one of the little boys who came on our Bluebell railway trip with us died. His name was George and I wanted to do something in honour of him in George Street, on St George's Day. He was a hero and so was St George.

"A lot of people are scared to be patriotic but I think St George's Day should be celebrated and we should be proud of the red and white flag."

The crowd cheered and booed their way through the story of St George as he took centre stage to rescue the princess and slay the dragon.

Children squealed with delight as they were given the opportunity to become St George and slay the dragon themselves.

Gemma Gibbs, 22, of Wish Road, Hove, brought her daughter Francesca, three, to the parade. She said: "We saw the posters for it and decided to hang around until it was on.

"I knew it was St George's Day so we bought a flag for her to wave."

Sue Cattermole, 43, from Hove, brought her son Miles, four, and daughter Grace, eight months, to join in the celebrations.

She said: "Miles loves dressing up and his St George's outfit has come from Warwick Castle.

"We do not normally celebrate St George's Day but I think this is nice because it teaches children the story and it brings everybody together which shows what a good community we have."

In Worthing, Colin Bickers, 34, of Findon Road, near Worthing, wore chain mail in honour of the saint as he celebrated with 12 friends all day in pubs in the town.

He is backing a campaign to make St George's Day a bank holiday.

He said: "St Patrick's Day is a day which has been marketed by foreign beer companies.

"St George's Day is the day of our own patron saint, when we are able to celebrate where we come from and who we are."