MORRIS dancers aged from two to over 50 took part in a fancy dress sponsored walk to raise cash for a new bus.

More than 20 members of the Darwen Morris Dancers troupe trudged from Hoghton Tower to the Anchor pub in Blackburn Road for the fundraiser on Sunday.

The six-mile walk will help pay for a new bus to take dancers to competitions and events.

One of the organisers, Carley Billington, said £150 was raised from bucket collections on the day, with hundreds more expected from sponsorships.

Mother-of-two Miss Billington, whose six-year-old daughter Tamara took part in the event, said: “It was a really good day.

“All the children were really well behaved and the little ones didn’t complain once. We had quite a lot of people stopping to ask what we were doing and putting money in the buckets and cars beeping their horns at us.”

Two-year-old Mitzy Dewhurst was the youngest person taking part on the day, trotting alongside her mum, Sabrina.

Miss Billington added: “We would like to thank Keith from Rigby’s Coaches, who gave us free transport from Darwen to Hoghton Tower to start the event.”

Darwen Morris Dancers is run by Sandra Jackson and is open to people of all ages.

Children up to the age of five train on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7pm at Crown Paints Sports and Social Club in Anchor Lane. Entry costs 50p.

All other age groups meet at Lower Chapel church in Chapels with six to 11-year-olds on Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm, 12 to 16-year-olds on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 8pm and 17-plus on Tuesdays from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Entry for ages six and above costs £1.50.

For more information, call 01254 771967.