A MORRIS dancing group has been invited to perform at a top festival.

Horwich Morris will be at the prestigious Dancing England event in Sheffield on Saturday, February 18.

The team will also be performing at the Shepley Folk Festival in May, the Littleborough Rush Cart Festival in July and the Sidmouth Folk Festival in August.

This is along with the dancers usual hometown showings for St George’s Day in April and the Horwich Carnival in June.

Team leader Tom Besford said: “People are really interested in learning about our own rich local traditions.

“North West Clog Morris dancing has been performed in Horwich for more than a century and so we’re really grateful to be able to continue show these dances to local and national audiences.” The team also has its youngest ever foreman since its revival in 1976 - Richard Hall. Under his direction, the group performed at the Lancashire Day celebrations in Chorley and at the East Lancashire railway in Bury.

The group meets at Horwich Resource Centre in Beaumont Road every Wednesday at 8.30pm. For information, email horwich.prize.medal.morris.men@hotmail.com