The figure of St George riding on horseback will return to lead this year’s annual parade in West Bromwich, provided organisers can raise the necessary funds.

Organisers now face a race against time. The march has lacked its traditional figurehead character since Sandwell Council withdrew its financial support following the 2008 event.

Organisers of the popular march through the town are now working hard to secure enough funding to ensure it goes ahead on April 25.With more than half of the £10,000 target now secured, organisers are hoping they may be able to put something extra towards providing more family entertainment, including Punch and Judy shows.

One of Warwick Castle’s resident St George characters will lead the parade.

Mark Whitehouse, from organisers The Stone Cross St George Association, said they had booked the horseman as they were confident the parade would go ahead .

“St George on horseback should be a good focal point of the parade,” he said. “The more we raise, the more things like that we can do.”