Scores of youngsters will parade through Dartford town centre on St George's Day.

Dragons, knights and hundreds of people clad in red and white are expected to fill Dartford’s streets to celebrate England’s national day.

Last year nearly 500 young people from nine schools took part in the parade through the town from One Bell Corner to Central Park. Scout groups and dancers also joined the train of red and white.

The celebrations started at 7am with giveaways and a brass band for commuters at Dartford Station.

At One Bell Corner the celebrations start at noon with traditional hog roast samples being given away.

A brass band will be playing from 1pm in the build up to the annual schools’ parade which starts at 1.30pm and winds its way to the Bandstand in Central Park.

Schools taking part include: Joydens Wood Junior, West Hill Primary, Our Lady’s Catholic Primary, The Brent Primary, York Road Junior Academy, Fleetdown Primary, Temple Hill Primary and Oakfield Primary.

This year, the parade will be made up of children from eight primary schools who have all been working hard with artists to create sculptures, masks, lanterns and shields to carry in the parade.

They will be joined by a marching band, dhol drummers and Morris dancers in this spectacular event which is organised by the Kent Equality Cohesion Council.

Leader of the Dartford council Jeremy Kite said, “We have been celebrating St George’s Day in Dartford for several years now and this year we want to make the celebrations even bigger and better - making the town the St Georgiest in Kent.

"I am looking forward to seeing lots of residents at the free events in the town centre on 23 April.”

Director of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council Gurvinder Sandher said, “I am pleased with the commitment shown by Dartford Borough Council to celebrating St George's Day and this year will our biggest celebrations to date.

"I am looking forward to the residents of Dartford coming out and waving the flag of St George.”