HUNDREDS of scouts are expected to be flying the flag for Queen and country this weekend when they take part in a St George’s Day parade.

Proud parents will line the streets of Romsey when the town’s nine scouts and guides groups will be walking through the town doing their bit to celebrate the nation’s patron saint.

A rolling road block will be in place from between 2pm to 3pm as the children carry their districts standards wearing their uniforms.

The children will congregate outside the Abbey before starting from Church Place on a circuit through the town.

They will then turn left onto Church Street, turn right onto Portersbridge Street, and then turn right again onto Latimer Street.

At the junction with The Hundred they will then head towards the statue of Lord Palmerston before turning right again onto Church Street and then back into the Abbey.

Marshals will be on site closing off the junctions of Lortemore Place and Latimer Street, Latimer Street with Portersbridge Street and The Hundred, Market Place with Bell Street and The Abbey, and finally Church Street with Porterbridge Street.

Organisers expect the parade to last about 30 minutes with a service ministered by the Vicar of Romsey, Canon Rev Tim Sledge from 3pm.

Rev Sledge said why the day is so important.

“St George’s Day is the patron saint of England and is really important in the life of our nation,” he said. “It is such a thriving and vibrant day of optimism in Romsey, it’s fantastic. There are hundreds of scouts and guides in Romsey.

“We’re not just celebrating the Queen’s birthday, we’re remembering some significant events as well. It’s always great to see the Abbey full to the brim with organisation of all ages.”

Organisers of the parade ask that while parents are welcome to take part in the service they ask that children be seated first before they sit down.