MONARCHS, morris men and knights in armour will be part of this year's St George's Day celebrations in Manchester.

Lord Mayor Mavis Smitheman will be joined by King Henry VIII and his six wives, Queen Victoria and St George and his knights for the annual parade on Sunday, as pipe, brass and samba bands entertain the crowds.

Belly dancers will also be performing as colourful community floats make their way through the streets around Piccadilly Gardens, leaving from Varley Street, in Miles Platting, at 11.30am.

St Goerge's Day itself is not until Thursday, but festivities start early this year with a special market in Piccadilly Gardens from today until Sunday, decked out in red and white bunting and offering local crafts and gifts.

Festivities celebrating England's patron saint are taking place across Greater Manchester throughout the week, including traditional tea dances and roast dinners.

On Thursday, Manchester College will serve up the country's favourite dishes, including fish and chips and Lancashire hotpot; while the Stables Cafe in Heaton Park and Lakeside Cafe at Boggart Hole Clough, Blackley, will give a 10 per cent discount to anyone called George.

Coun Jim Battle, Manchester's deputy leader, said: "The St George's Day Parade is an extremely popular event in the city's calendar.

"We've lots planned across the city and we look forward to seeing local people and visitors joining in the festivities."

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen is backing an all-party group of MPs who are calling on the government to make St George's Day a bank holiday.

Mr Rowen said he would be flying the St George's Cross at his office on Thursday and added: "I know the government are looking closely at our proposals and it is only right that we should celebrate in the way other countries do.

"Scotland and Ireland already have a bank holiday to mark their national day and it's high time we did too."

THE national flag is being celebrated as a 'united identity' for ethnic minorities in England.

The Royal Society of St George believes that the flag can play a key role in settling domestic cultural differences.

And the concept is being promoted by the society during a celebration service next weekend at Manchester Cathedral.

Chairman of the Greater Manchester branch, Khumi Burton, 60, is an Indian who has lived in England for 33 years.

She argues that the flag of St George, England's patron saint, is a symbol for anyone who lives in this country, regardless of where they were born.

She said: “It is all about bringing people together and solving differences.

“It doesn't matter what religion you follow or what country you come from, the flag celebrates having a home in this country.”