MORRIS dancers paraded through the streets of Horwich to commemorate St George’s Day.

Several dancing troupes followed a circular route around the town, which started and finished at the Crown pub in Chorley New Road.

Groups included the Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men, the Persphone Morris Dancers, Rivington Morris, Rose and Castle Morris from Northamptonshire and Wrigley Head Morris Men.

Bob Bradley, the secretary of the Horwich group, said: “It was a really good day and was the 26th year that we have held the parade.”

Also performing were the Britannia Coconut Dancers of Bacup, pictured, a group which has been accused of racism because members black up their faces.

But Mr Bradley denied that the group, which has been running for 157 years and is also known as The Nutters, was racist, adding that it was a popular draw to the parade.

He said: “They are popular because they are unusual.

“Of course they are not racist, it is part of our tradition.

“It is not making fun of people. Originally it would be from coal miners who rubbed coal dust onto their faces.”