Independence Day ceremony at ancestral home of first American President

Waving the star-spangled banner at Washington Old Hall Credit: North News and Pictures

The star-spangled banner was raised again over Washington Old Hall this weekend, to mark American Independence Day.

Pupils from John F Kennedy Primary School, George Washington Primary School and Broadway Junior School took part in the ceremony, which included readings from Martin Luther King and the singing of the American national anthem.

Sunderland Youth Parliament member Jack Stoker read from the Declaration of Independence.

The American flag was presented by a pupil from Washington School, dressed in the uniform of the Washington Greys, the bodyguard of the first American President George Washington.

Presenting the flag, in the uniform of the Washington Greys Credit: North News and Pictures

Sunderland is the only non-capital city to have a Friendship Agreement with the US capital.

It encourages a range of activities between the two cities to foster cultural and economic relationships.

Washington Old Hall is also celebrating its own 60th anniversary of being open to the public this year.