Little Englishmen and women marked St George's Day with a parade.

The patriotic Children's Parade in Hove yesterday was themed on the deeds of the patron saint of England.

Wearing suits of armour, princess outfits and dragon costumes, and with their faces painted with red crosses, the youngsters marched from the town hall along Church Road to George Street.

The street was decorated with bunting and flags and shops dressed their windows.

Stalls lined the road and there was a facepainting stand and a bouncy castle.

Musicians played and a theatre company staged a play telling the tale of St George and his slaying of the dragon.

Prizes were given for the best costumes and for the winner of a running race to slay a dragon.

The event was organised by Sparkles and Surprises, which takes children with special needs on trips. It is hoped the event raised hundreds of pounds for the charity, which is based in the city.

The red-and-white flag fluttered nearby at Hove Town Hall and King's House in Grand Parade - though not over Brighton Town Hall in Bartholomew Square. According to a council spokeswoman, the roof is being repaired and it was considered too dangerous for council workers to reach the flagpole.

Wealden Borough Council and Eastbourne District Council also intended to fly the flag on their council offices, but had problems with broken flagpoles.

The flag was flying high at Eastbourne bandstand, however, and on many other council buildings across the county including East Sussex County Council, Worthing Borough Council, Horsham District Council and Adur District Council.

At Hove Trial Centre, the Union Flag is only flown on each of the 18 official flag days. Staff hoisted it up for the Queen's birthday on Monday and it was left flying to mark St George's Day. Brighton Magistrates' Court was flying the flag too.

Government buildings with two or more flagstaffs are permitted to fly national flags on national days but they must not be flown in a superior position to the Union Flag.

Previously Government buildings were only permitted to fly flags on 18 official flag flying days but last year the rule was relaxed. Now buildings may fly flags all year round.

The flag must be flown at half mast when a sovereign dies or to mark the funerals of members of the Royal Family, certain foreign rulers and Prime Ministers or former Prime Ministers.

What did you do to mark the day? Tell us below.