Hundreds of Scouts beamed with pride as they took part in what could be their last-ever St George’s Day parade today.

They put behind them news that police would no longer marshal the event for free, to enjoy the mild weather and march through Bradford city centre.

Led by marching bands and accompanied by leaders from City Hall, the Scout groups set off from Centenary Square at 11.40am, waving flags and bringing vibrant colour to the streets.

Crowds lined the route to watch the parade, which made its way up to Bradford Cathedral for a special service, before marching back again.

This year’s event was saved by the Scouts’ district commissioner for Bradford South, Stewart Jessop, who used to work in the police. He managed to persuade kind-hearted volunteer Special Constables to oversee the parade on a one-off basis.

Deputy district commissioner Alison Walton said: “Special thanks must go to the Queensbury Scout Band and Halifax Boys Brigade Band who led the parade. The day was a resounding success thanks to the West Yorkshire Police Special Constabulary.”

Scouts have held a parade in the city to celebrate St George, the patron saint of Scouting, for decades. But the police has told them it can no longer oversee the march for free, as its national guidelines had changed.

And Scout leaders have said as they have no funds to pay a private company to do the job, yesterday’s event was probably their last.

Lucy Marshall, whose six-year-old son Dante Robinson was taking part in his first parade, was dismayed at news the parade could be no more. She said: “It is heartbreaking. We made sure we got Dante down for this one because it might be his only chance to do this.”

Dante is a member of Wibsey Methodist Beaver group. Miss Marshall added: “He was really excited about it. He had Beavers on Tuesday night, and he’s done nothing but talk about it since then.”