Gravesend’s 2016 St George’s Day celebrations featured an eclectic mix of sheep, sausages, dragons, and drummers – and more of the same can be expected during this year’s event.

Once again organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council (KECC) and Cohesion Plus, the town’s tribute to England’s saint is set to entertain the crowds when it arrives later this morning.

Arts company Same Sky has been into 12 schools across Gravesham to help children make costumes and placards for the procession, which kicks off with live entertainment in King Street and High Street from 9.45am.

Come 10am there will be a free concert in Community Square with a local brass band playing some popular tunes, and the schools parade gets under way at 10.30am.

The children will gather outside the old Towncentric building in St George’s Square before heading up High Street, into New Road, through St George’s Shopping Centre, back onto New Road, and then Windmill Street.

It will culminate outside the Civic Centre back at Community Square, where the St George’s flag will be raised.

KECC chief executive Gurvinder Sandher, who has been organising the annual celebrations in both Gravesend and Dartford with his small team of volunteers since 2008, is looking forward to the day.

“We are really pleased to be again in a position to organise the Saint George’s Day celebrations in Gravesham and Dartford,” he said.

“I believe passionately that events like Saint George’s Day are a great way of bringing diverse communities together and celebrating our core values, which makes England the country it is.

“As ever, I am very grateful to all our partners for their ongoing support and their belief in our work.”

KECC is supported in its organisation of the events by Cohesion Plus, Gravesham council, Dartford council and Arts Council England.

The celebrations are happening today as it is the final school day before St George’s Day itself, which this year falls on Sunday.