A GROUP of patriotic youngsters in York celebrated St George's Day in flag-waving style.

But across the rest of England, the country's patron saint's day was expected to go by largely unnoticed.

For unlike St Patrick's Day last month, when thousands of people in this country, Irish or otherwise, supped a pint of Guinness and partied in style, today is just another day - better known as William Shakespeare's birthday.

At Stepping Stones Pre-school in Border Road, Strensall, children ate Yorkshire pudding, sausage and gravy and also made St George's buns with white and red icing.

At Leapfrog Day Nursery, in Manor Lane, Rawcliffe, children made hats and flags and read stories about St George.

The celebrations came as cricket legend Ian "Beefy" Botham delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street, calling for St George's Day to be made a national holiday. More than half a million people signed the document which demands extra recognition for April 23.

Former England captain Ian said: "Why shouldn't it be a national holiday? Our heritage is being eroded. Large numbers of people do not know anything about St George and yet we see the flag raised at cricket and football grounds."

The legend - in which George slays a fierce dragon and rescues an innocent maiden from death - is thought to have appeared as late as the 12th century.

It was Edward III who instituted the Order of St George and encouraged the battle cry 'St George for England!' St George's Day continued to grow in popularity and April 23 soon became an occasion for feasting in monasteries across England.

On the streets of York today the lack of national celebration was blamed on everything from lack of publicity to lack of patriotism among young people.

But one place where St George will be marked is at the fundraising St George's Day Ball at York Racecourse tonight organised by the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Janet Looker, and the Sheriff of York, Bob Scrase.

Coun Looker said: "People find it very difficult to relate to St George. He never came to England and he probably didn't kill a dragon."

Updated: 09:24 Saturday, April 23, 2005