Plans in motion for St George's parade in Wigan

The annual Wigan and District Scouts parade will start at 11am on Sunday from its traditional rallying point outside Wigan Parish Church.

Wigan Mayor and Mayoress, Coun Bill and Joan Clarke, will be in attendance along with other dignitaries such as Scouts District Commissioner Paul Green.

Around 2,000 members of the uniformed associations gather each year for the march through town.

This includes the Explorer Scouts, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows.

They are accompanied each year by their colourful banners and a marching band, and the 2018 parade will be no different.

The groups will then stop for the Mayor’s annual speech and salute, which as usual will be taken in front of the Wilkinson’s store in Standishgate.

Following the parade, the participants will return to Wigan Parish Church for a service,. During the mass, each section will renew their promise.

Several temporary road closures will be in effect in the town centre to facilitate the parade.

The full length of Crawford Street and Bishopgate will be fenced off while the uniformed associations go marching.

Hallgate will also be shut off between Bishopgate and Market Street.

New Market Street will be closed up to Mesnes Street. Mesnes Street will be closed from Bridgeman Terrace to Standishgate.

Standishgate will shut from Powell Street and Northway, and Crompton Street will be inaccessible between Riverway and Standishgate/Mesnes Street.