An annual celebration of Engfland’s patron saint is set to take place again weekend.

Live music, life-like characters, and a school parade will feature across Dartford and Gravesham for Saint George’s Day.

A soft launch of the community event will begin this Saturday (April 20) between 10am and 2pm in Dartford town centre.

Passers-by will have the chance to snap a picture with the patron and his dragon, whilst also enjoying live entertainment.

But the main celebrations will take place on St George’s Day itself, on Tuesday, April 23.

An array of musicians including brass bands, North Indian Dhol acts, Southern African Djembe drummers, folk musicians and Morris Dancers will perform.

Hundreds of pupils will take to the streets in both Dartford and Gravesend donning St George-themed shields, dragons and signs.

The crafts will have been created in art workshops by event partner Same Sky and will carry messages of friendship, unity and community.

More than 25 schools across the two boroughs are set to take part in the festivities.

The ethos of the event will be to celebrate and showcase a culturally diverse England, and how regardless of ethnicity, faith and background everyone can come together to celebrate.

It will also serve as an opportunity to learn about Saint George and his legacy.

The parades will begin at 10.30am in Gravesend town centre and 1.35pm in Dartford.

Both will feature live music before and conclude with flag raisings.

The celebrations are produced annually by arts charity Cohesion Plus, and supported by Kent Equality Cohesion Council.

Creative director of the not-for-profit, Gurvinder Sandher said: “We are proud to again be in a position to produce some of the largest Saint George’s Day celebrations taking place in England.

“This year has been especially challenging with some of our longstanding partners dropping out but nonetheless with the support of local schools, community partners, Dartford council and Arts Council England, we will be able to deliver what I believe will be two memorable events in Gravesham and Dartford.

“I hope like in previous years that the local community will come out and wave the flag of Saint George with pride.”