MORE than 100 youngsters and their families paid tribute to the patron saint of Scouting at a St George's Day service yesterday.

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts from the Bishop Auckland Scout District paraded behind their flags to St Elizabeth's Church, Woodham, for a service hosted by the 1st Newton Aycliffe group.

The Reverend Bill Broad addressed the congregation, which included the Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Sheila Mlatilik, the Mayor of Sedgefield, Councillor Andrew Gray and the deputy chairwoman of Wear Valley District Council, Councillor Margaret Pinkney. Scout district president Frank Willis, who recently received a Silver Acorn in recognition of more than 50 years in the movement, attended a St George's Day service at Windsor.