Dancers booked for Worthing Festival

The 60-strong group will dance at locations across the town on Saturday, July 26, and it is hoped they will be joined by other morris troupes from across the county.

The annual festival, organised by the Worthing Lions and supported by the Herald and Splash FM, runs for two weeks from Sunday, July 20.

Milla Hills, from the group, said: "We're very much looking forward to taking part in this year's festival.

"Every year we have town centre day of dance but this year we were asked to coincide it with the festival and we were delighted to do so."

Sompting Village Morris was formed in 1978 and is made up of a men's team, a women's team and a band of musicians.

The group uses several different styles of morris dancing including Cotswold, Sussex, North West and Border.

It is known for its striking red, yellow and black costumes and regularly performs at pubs and events throughout the town.

Members vary in age, the youngest being 14-year-old Philip Stedman and the oldest is Sid Wakeham, 72.

Milla, 46, who is known as The Bag, an alternative morris title for group chairperson which comes from the days when somebody was responsible for looking after the group's bag of money, said: "We have a whole range of people of all different ages getting involved.

"I think the attraction is being part of something that's an old English tradition.

"We do have a majority of women but there are lots of men too and we're looking for more to join."

Later this year some members from the club are hoping to travel to France for a performance there.

In the past they have danced across Europe, including Italy, Germany, Switzerland, France, Holland and Belgium.

For more information on the group and details on how to join, visit s-v-m.moonfruit.com