KIDDERMINSTER Scouts and Guides are preparing to stage the town's biggest annual parade, which will mark St George's Day.

Around 1,000 could turn out for the event on Sunday - the day after the patron saint of England's feast day.

The reason for the parade - between 9.30am and 12.45pm - is not so much to do with English patriotism but the fact that St George is also the patron saint of the Scouting movement.

It will mean closure of several of the town centre's roads to all vehicles, including bicycles, apart from those taking part in the parade.

Roads closed will be New Road, between Pump Street and Marlborough Street, the whole length of Marlborough Street, Prospect Hill, Bromsgrove Street, Coventry Street and Radford Avenue.

The closure restrictions also apply to the Horsefair, between Radford Avenue and Churchfields, Churchfields, between the Horsefair and St Mary's Church, High Street, between Coventry Street and the Bull Ring, and the whole length of the Bull Ring.

Scouts, Guides, Beavers and Cubs taking part in the parade will call at Kidderminster's St George's St Mary's and Baxter churches.

Jenny Greener, deputy district commissioner for Kidderminster & District Scouts, said: "Every Scouting district in the country tries to have a parade on St George's Day or the nearest Sunday to it."

Scouting officials will take part in the parade, together with the district's civic leaders, including Kidderminster's mayor, councillor Siri Hayward. Wyre Forest District Council's chairman, councillor John Simmonds, and leader, councillor Stephen Clee, will also attend.