THOUSANDS of young people from across Bournemouth, Poole and Purbeck are taking part in Scout parades today to commemorate St George's Day.

Parents and families of children who are part of the Scouting Association were joined by members of the public for the first of the day's events, which saw a parade move from the West Cliff to the bandstand in Bournemouth's Lower Gardens.

See all the pictures of the Bournemouth parade in a gallery 

The Mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr Chris Mayne, also attended the event in recognition of St George's Day, which takes place on April 23. He also awarded accolades for the Chief Scout's Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Awards, as well as those who had achieved their Young Leader Belt.

Darren Gilbert, District Commissioner for Bournemouth Scouts, said: "We've got over 1,600 members and I should imagine that the majority of them were there.

"The purpose of the day is to celebrate Saint George, our patron saint of Scouting, and it is also a chance for all the Scouts to take part in a promise renewal.

"We had a number of young people who were commended for their Chief's Scouts Award today as the event last year was rained off.

"We were very pleased that it didn't rain this year because the event is open and so people joined us to celebrate the day.

"As well as the Mayor of Bournemouth joining us, we also had Nigel Davies, as a representative for Dorset County Scouts with us and music from Bournemouth Carnival Band and Bournemouth School's Combined Cadet Force Band."

Over in Purbeck, children took part in a parade at Knoll Beach before renewing their Promise and then grabbed bin bags and gloves to take part in an event for the Great Dorset Beach Clean.

Members of the Scouts in Poole congregated by Poole Lifting Bridge on Poole Quay at 2pm before heading to the sculpture of Lord Baden-Powell, where they were joined by the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Peter Adams.