HUNDREDS of Scouts, Cubs and Beavers took to the streets of Newport for a celebration of St George, the patron saint of scouting.

Participants lined up in High Street, Newport, behind the Newport St George's Band and the Newport Steadfast Association Band before setting off through the streets towards Rodney Parade.

The route took them through Commercial Street, before cutting down between the Kingsway and Friars Walk shopping centres and heading across the newly-cleaned City Footbridge.

As they marched, they carried with them hundreds of flags and banners displaying their pack names and insignias.

Band Master of the Newport Scout and Guides' Band, Gavin Foley, 33, said: "We do this every year, and I've bee involved since I was about 14.

"It feels fantastic every year because we're keeping the tradition alive."

Steadfast Association band member Barry Turner, 69, added: "It feels great to be here, especially to see of all the kids involved. Hopefully it will keep some of them off the streets."

Newport Scouts Deputy District Commissioner, Andrea Fairless, said she was pleased with the good turnout.

"Looking back up High Street and seeing all the happy children with their parents looking on, it makes us seriously proud. It's not very often that we see all of the children in one place at the same time, all representing and celebrating scouting together. "

Nine-year-old Joe Edward, of Llandegfedd, Pontypool, was at the parade representing the Christchurch Scouts, and said he was feeling confident about his first march.

"I'm really looking forward to doing it," he said.

"It feels great to be marching with all of the cubs and scouts."

Also representing Christchurch Scouts in his second march was Fletcher Thomas, nine, of Caerleon.

"I'm feeling pretty confident because I've done it before," he explained.

"I'll be showing everyone else how to do it. My little brother is in the Beavers, and they're letting him hold a flag today because it's his first time."

Ethan Duke, 10, of Maindee in Newport added: "It's just so exciting. I started in the Scouts a couple of weeks ago, and I'm really happy.

Also England’s patron saint, the legendary St George was a soldier and officer in the Roman army who was killed because of an unwillingness to renounce his Christianity.

As well scouting, St George is also the patron saint of Georgia, Malta, Portugal and Romania.