The streets of Dartford town centre are awash with a sea of red and white to mark all that’s great about England on St George’s Day.

A free brass band concert kicked off the celebrations at One Bell Corner in Dartford High Street today at 1pm.

About 500 youngsters from nine primary and secondary schools are taking part in an hour-long procession from 1.30pm.

The parade will head off from One Bell Corner down the High Street, turning right at the Paper Moon pub and heading towards Central Park, finishing at the bandstand.

The parade is organised by the Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Dartford council and Cohesion Plus.

The schools taking part are: York Road Junior, Our Lady’s Catholic, Longfield Academy, Oakfield primary, Westhill primary, Sutton at Hone primary, Temple Hill primary and nursery, Rowhill primary and Dartford Science and Technology College.

See this week's Dartford Messenger for a 4-page picture special.