St George's Day celebrated across the South

As many people prepare to celebrate St George's Day this weekend, they may well be comparing their efforts to the Kent town of Gravesend. There, weeks of planning involving 17 schools and 15 hundred schoolchildren resulted in a massive, multicultural celebration of England's national day. Andrea Thomas reports.

DJ Mike Read has appeared at a Ukip St George's Day event in Ramsgate alongside party leader Nigel Farage and has offered to host a patriotic pub quiz, ITV News correspondent Rohit Kachroo has reported.

Celebrations are underway in Gravesend in Kent to recognise the patron saint of England, St George's Day.

Spectators turned out to watch the parade and some even dressed up for the occasion!

Hundreds of people, including school children, turned out to march along the streets with specially red and white heart-shaped balloons.

Gravesend is among many towns and cities in the South East marking St George's contribution to English heritage.

Towns across the South were painted red - and white - this morning to celebrate St George's Day.

Hundreds of people gathered in Emsworth to see veterans presented with roses after they marched through the historic town.

The sun shone on those who lined the road to watch the ceremony this morning in the Hampshire town.