One of St Albans’ longest-running Christmas customs will be honoured on Boxing Day when a traditional play is acted.

For the 51st time, St Albans Mummers will stage their "time-honoured masque" St George and the Dragon in five locations.

The traditional mummers play features a less-than-serious look at life, death and resurrection, with several fierce battles involving St George and unlikely opponents, as well as the odd bad joke or two.

The Mummers’ play is based on a centuries-old tradition, in which groups of labourers would go around their village near Christmas, putting on simple dramas to collect money or food.

The performances will take place at the town hall at 11.30am, the White Hart hotel at 12.15pm, at the west end of St Albans Abbey at 1pm, the Fighting Cocks at 1.45pm, and the Clock Tower at 2.30pm.