MORRIS Men will perform their annual parade around Horwich this weekend - but will have to stick to the pavement.

Teams have traditionally danced along the town's roads to celebrate St George's Day.

But this year they came close to cancelling the event, rather than paying for costly road closures.

Police will no longer operate "rolling roadblocks" by escorting parades along roads which are still open to traffic.

And the issue, which first arose when the Horwich Remembrance Parade came under threat of cancellation last year, means road closures are now needed to ensure the safety of participants in events.

But organisers decided to get around the problem by parading on the pavement.

Bob Bradley, secretary of the Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men, said: "We have been doing this event for 20 years and last week thought about cancelling it because of the obstacles we have been faced with.

"But we have decided to go ahead with it because it would be a shame to lose it."

Up to 100 morris men and traditional musicians from across the country will gather in Horwich on Saturday.

Teams taking part include Greater Manchester's Wrigley Head, Mossley and Saddleworth morris men, Yorkshirebased Ripon City and the Britannia Coconut Dancers, from Bacup.

Starting at the Crown Hotel, Chorley New Road, there will be a procession on the footpath to Victoria Road. Dancers will give a performance at the Brown Cow, Church Street, at 11am.

The teams will make their way to Brownlow Road by 1pm for further displays.

Brownlow Road will be closed to traffic, which has been paid for by Horwich Town Council at a cost of £800.

Another display will be held near The Bay Horse and The Original Bay Horse, in Lee Lane, before the dancers return to the Crown Hotel at 2.30pm.

Mr Bradley said: "We are very grateful to Horwich Town Council for paying for the closure of Brownlow Road, as this is the main display and we expect it to attract the biggest audience.

"Without its support, the event would not be able to go ahead."

Cllr Steve Rock, leader of Horwich Town Council, said: "A lot of traditional events are voluntary and we felt it was important to support them to keep Horwich's identity. Horwich is leading by example and raising the flag for St George."