Crowds lined the streets of York for the annual Scout and Guide St George's Day parade at the weekend.

Around 2,000 members of the Scout and Guide movements from the York area took part in the parade, which departed from the Eye of York and wound its way through the streets to the Minster under the gaze of hundreds of onlookers.

The marchers then entered the Minster for a service and address given by the Rev David Herridge, vicar of St Stephen's Church, Acomb, who was himself a Scout when a boy.

The theme of this year's event was loyalty and friendship and Mr Herridge told the young people how he and his friends had kept each other's spirits up during a soggy camping trip when they were Scouts through their strong bond of friendship.

After the service the Scouts and Guides gathered in Duncombe Place for the salute to the Civic Party before returning to the Eye of York for the dismissal.

Updated: 09:47 Monday, April 30, 2001