MORE than 500 boys and girls took place in an activity day organised by the Scouts to celebrate St George's Day.

The activity day at Whitecross High School on Saturday replaced the traditional parade through Hereford city centre this year.

The move came after the South Marches Scouts consulted youngsters on what they would like to do to celebrate the patron saint of England, who is also the patron saint of the Scout Association.

The parade through the city will return next year and run alternately with the activity day each year.

There were 40 activities across four zones on Saturday: outdoor and adventure, Scouting skills, sports, and craft.

The Scouts were then joined by the Mayor of Hereford, Len Tawn, and the Hereford and Worcester Scout county commissioner, Derek Barnes, before a parade and a renewal of the Scout promise to do their best.

Anna King, South Marches district commissioner said, “The i-Scout day couldn’t have happened without our volunteers, so on behalf of all the young people, I’d like to say a particularly big thank you to them.

"It was wonderful to see so many young people trying so many different activities and having such a great day.”

In this week's letters' page a reader lamented the absence of the parade in the city centre this year (see page 30).

If you would like to volunteer go to www.hfdscouts.org.uk.