HUNDREDS of scouts will parade in Ledbury town centre to mark St George’s Day and the centenary of the 1st Ledbury Scout Group.

The scouts’ flag, to mark the extra special anniversary, is already flying proudly from the town’s flagpole by the Alms Houses, in advance of the big parade on Sunday, April 28.

On that day, for the first time for a number of years, Ledbury will host the Malverns District St George’s Day parade and service, drawing in scouts from all over the area.

Edd Hogan, assistant group scout leader in Ledbury, said: “It's a big thing for Ledbury. This will be our normal St George’s Day Parade but with bells and whistles. There’s a lot of work going into this. We are expecting something like 450 young people in uniform, plus about 150 adults in uniform.

“When you get the Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Lady Darnley as the Queen’s representative, it adds a little bit more pomp to the event, and this is what we want, because it is our centenary.

“Ideally, we’d like to see the pavements crammed full of people.”

Other VIPS invited to attend will include North Herefordshire MP, Bill Wiggin and Cllr Nina Shields, chairman of Ledbury Town Council. She will be the official chaperone for Lady Darnley.

Ledbury High Street will be closed on the day for the parade, from 1pm to 5pm.

There will be signage directing cars to the car park of the John Masefield High School.

Scouts of all ages, from Beavers to Explorer Scouts, will muster on St Katherine’s car park from 12.30pm on the day. The parade will take place from 1.15pm and a church service in St Michael and All Angels will take place from 2pm, led by the Revd Keith Hilton-Turvey.

Other groups attending will include Ledbury Community Brass Band, Ledbury Bell Ringers, Ledbury Rotary and representatives from the Baden-Powell Guild.

The event, on April 28, is taking place on the nearest Sunday following St George’s Day itself, which is April 23.

The Malverns District St George’s Day Parade is shared on a rota by a number of towns, including Malvern, Upton and Colwall, and this year it is Ledbury's turn once again, during a very special year.