Both men and women are keeping a 700 year-old tradition alive in Warwick, in the form of the Plum Jerkum Boarder Morris side.

The side formed in 1986 as a mixed group, so couples could dance together rather than having to join single-sex sides.

They dance the 'blacked-face' boarder style of morris, which is associated with the counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Plum Jerkum's squire Chris Barber explained the origins of their costumes come from the country's agriculture workers some centuries before.

He said: "Morris dancing goes back hundreds of years. We dance a style called the boarder style of morris dancing.

"The dancers used to disguise themselves because many of them were agriculture workers who were laid off during the winter. They didn't want their bosses or the local police recognising them while they danced and begged, so they blacked their faces."

The 20 dancers and musicians rehearse every Monday at their new home at the Northgate Methodist Church Hall in Barrack Street, previously they used the village hall in Eathorpe - a move that has proved successful for the group.

Mr Barber said: "The move to Warwick has already been a success, we have had a number of new members but we are still looking both for musicians and dancers to join us. We particularly welcome couples - it is a very good way for couples to do something sociable together rather than each going to separate gyms for example. We wanted to be nearer to the centre of things and take part in Warwick life."

The boarder dancers will be one of the many performers taking part in the Warwick Folk Festival, which will run from July 22 until July 24 and Mr Barber hopes visitors to the festival will join in the dancing.

He said: "We are dancing as part of the Warwick Folk Festival and we will be holding a workshop for boarder morris dancing - anyone will be welcome to come and have a try."

Mr Barber says he enjoys the health and sociable aspect of morris dancing.

He said: "It's such good exercise - good aerobic exercise but it is very sociable as well. Part of the joy of performing at a festival is that we all camp out as a side together. We have barbecues and go along to festivals and we also have social events where we go out for walking weekends.

Anyone wanting more information about Plum Jerkum should contact secretary Christine Edgar on 024 76279914.