The County Town is gearing up for a four-day celebration to mark St George’s Day.

He wasn’t born in England and it is doubtful that he ever slayed a dragon, but for patriots St George epitomises all that is great about this country.

The brave Roman soldier, who was born in what is now Turkey, was beheaded in Palestine for his Christian beliefs.

He was chosen as the patron saint of England thanks to Richard the Lionheart who was so impressed with his exploits that his soldiers wore the red cross of St George on their tunics.

Identified with feats of bravery and gallantry, the first St George’s Day was declared in 1222.

It is celebrated on April 23 - co-incidentally the birth and death dates of William Shakespeare - and commemorative events will be held over four days in Maidstone.

On Thursday, April 23, in true St George tradition people are being encouraged to wear a red rose in their button holes.

At 2pm a parade of schoolchildren will march through Maidstone town centre to Brenchley Gardens, next to Maidstone Museum, for a flag raising ceremony.

A concert is planned but yet to be confirmed for the Friday.

On the Saturday, a medieval fair will be held in the gardens from 11am to 5pm with bandstand folk music from 2pm to 5pm. There will be medieval scriptwriting in the museum for most of the day.

On Sunday, April 26, Scouts will take to the town’s streets for a parade with another medieval fair from 11am to 5pm in the gardens. Details of timings have yet to be announced.

The event is being organised by Maidstone council and Maidstone Town Centre Management, and supported by the Kent Messenger.