BY GEORGE what a day it was this April 23 as parks, schools and homes across the borough celebrated the country s patron saint in style. There were medieval jousters riding on noble steeds in Barking Abbey Green and Old Dagenham Park last Thursday and pup

BY GEORGE what a day it was this April 23 as parks, schools and homes across the borough celebrated the country's patron saint in style.

There were medieval jousters riding on noble steeds in Barking Abbey Green and Old Dagenham Park last Thursday and pupils went to class dressed head to toe in red and white.

St George's Day had not been celebrated by the council in many years but at a meeting of the Assembly last month councillors recognised that more should be done to mark the occasion.

So this year there was a whole host of activities taking place across Barking and Dagenham on Thursday April 23 and Saturday 25.

Some families decorated their homes with bunting and St George's flags, like the house pictured in Stevens Road, Dagenham.

Some patriotic soles even had England flags tattooed on different parts of their bodies to help raise money for brave British troops.

Tattoo artist Mickey Hall and his wife Dayna, from Church Street, Dagenham, managed to raise over �1,000 on the day.

Children at Marsh Green primary school got the chance to take part in a St George's Day quiz and Deputy council leader, Cllr Liam Smith, stopped by.

Creekmouth preservation society held their annual garden party at the Crooked Billet pub in River Road, Barking.

The Mayor, Cllr Emmanuel Obasohan and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Fred Barns, both attended the Calypso themed celebration.

Charity members dressed in grass skirts and floral garlands and danced to the music of the Woodbine Club steel pan band.