The patron saint of England was celebrated when a community came together for a special event to mark St George's Day.

The Thorpe St Andrew St George's Celebration took place at Dussindale Park recreation ground, off Pound Lane , today (Sunday).

Thousands of people enjoyed the programme of events, which started at 11.30am with a morning service organised by the Vineyard Church.

Sunny weather meant Ronaldo's ice cream stall did a roaring trade, while glasses were raised to St George at the beer tent.

Youngsters enjoyed leaping about on the bouncy castle and taking a ride in the old-fashioned swing boats, while other stalls hosted raffles and tombolas.

There was also a farmers' market, stands from Broadland Homewatch Association, Norfolk police and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Entertainment included Punch and Judy performances, music from the Norwich Ukelele Society and talented youngsters from Aspire Street Dance.

Town mayor John Ward said: 'It's good to see so many people enjoying themselves and we have done very well with the weather.

'We had a fancy dress competition earlier, where we picked an excellent St George, a damel and a dragon and everyone has been having a good time.'

Jonathan Emsell from Thorpe St Andrew Town Council, said: 'We have tried to have something for everyone, from the traditional Punch and Judy shows to the street dance. We wanted it to be a real community event and we've got young and old together here.

'We've also got the new skate ramp here. We have previously hired one in, but we have now purchased it and

it will be here all summer.'

He said it was difficult to judge how many people had attended the event, but said: 'It has been busy all the time, so I think it must have been a couple of thousand through the day.'

People also got the chance to pick up energy saving advice from Broadland District Council's Energy bus and to see how new solar heating and heat pumps have been installed at the Fitzmaurice Pavilion.

Because St George's Day (April 23) falls in the middle of the Easter holidays, Thorpe St Andrew Town Council brought the event forward.

• Is your community putting on an event? Call Evening News reporter Donna-Louise Bishop on 01603 772438 or email donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk