Around 1,000 scouts and their leaders paraded along Worthing seafront today to celebrate St George's Day and the centenary of the scouting movement.

Members of 13 packs from around the town marched from Beach House grounds to the Pavilion Theatre.

They were led by Judy Marshallsay, commissioner of Worthing and District Scouts, followed by three standard bearers, and the Arundel and Littlehampton Scout Band, playing Sussex by the Sea.

At one stage the procession, watched by thousands of onlookers, stretched from the steps of the Pavilion to Splash Point.

The stifling heat was a far cry from Worthing's last mass St George's Day parade, in 2001, when hundreds of beavers, cubs and scouts shivered in chilly conditions as the rain poured down during an open air service in Steyne Gardens.

Since then, packs have held individual services at their local churches, but the 100th anniversary of Lord Baden-Powell forming the scouting movement in 1907 gave Mrs Marshallsay the opportunity to bring them together again.

She said: "I don't know how many were there but it was a tremendous turn out.

"I think the fact that it is the centenary year, and the weather, had something to do with it."

Music was also provided by the band of TS Implacable, of the Nautical Training Corps.

It took more than 25 minutes for the youngsters to file into the Pavilion, where scores had to sit on the floor after almost 900 seats were filled.

They watched a portrayal of St George slaying the dragon, renewed their oaths, and stood for the National Anthem.

Dignitaries included East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton, and Worthing Mayor Tom Wye and his wife Lesley.

Asked whether there would be a similar parade next year, Mrs Marshallsay said: "I think we will have to wait and see."

The packs on parade, with their scarf colours in brackets, were: The 1st Worthing (green and blue), 2nd (green with dark blue trim), 3rd (black with dark red trim), 4th (orange), 6th (purple and yellow), 8th (red), 9th (green and brown), 10th (maroon with gold border), 1st Goring (maroon with light blue trim), 2nd Goring (light blue with maroon trim), 1st Durrington (blue with grey trim), 2nd Durrington (red with light green trim), 1st Findon Valley (emerald green).