TRADITIONAL Morris dancers brought life and colour into Great Malvern on Saturday.

Shoppers and visitors were treated to music and dancing as 13 different Morris sides took over the town centre demonstrating their skills in celebratory displays.

The 100-plus Morris dancers were invited to take part in the Day of Dance by Old Meg Morris, a mixed Morris dancing side based in Malvern.

The sides came from around the country, each with their own particular style of dancing, representing various Morris traditions.

Dancing displays took place at St Ann’s Well Cafe on the lower slopes of Worcester Beacon, the gardens in front of Malvern Library and at Malvern’s historical Abbey Archway in the middle of town. At 3.30pm all the Morris sides came together at the Library to join together for a large celebratory display.

Old Meg Morris, the organisers, danced North West Morris, a particular style of dancing that originated in Cheshire and Lancashire. Morris sides representing the Cotswold and the local Border traditions also took part.

Old Meg was founded in 1977 as a ladies side and became a mixed side in 2000. The lively group always welcome new dancers and musicians and meet to practice at Poolbrook Hall on Poolbrook Road on Tuesdays between 8pm and 10pm. They dance at pubs, fayres, festivals and other events throughout the year.

If anyone is interested in joining Old Meg Morris or finding out more about Morris dancing they can contact Anne Lewis on 01684 574628 or Jill Meadows on 07834 828154 or email oldmeg1@yahoo.co.uk.