THERE was dancing in the streets of Bolton on Saturday as a tradition dating back to the 15th century was brought alive in a colourful display.

Morris Men from Bolton and across the North West delighted shoppers with their distinctive folk dances in the town centre.

The Rumworth Morris of Bolton, Adlington Morris of Cheshire and the Mersey Morris performed through Bolton town centre in what is fast becoming a local tradition and a popular highlight of the borough's social calendar.

Tony Dann, a member of the Rumworth Morris Dancers said: "This is an annual event we put on in Bolton on the third week of September.

“We bring our own band and all but one of our performances are Lancashire dances.

“We do traditional dances such as the garland dance and some which have developed ourselves.

“We went younger men to join so Morris dancing doesn't die out."

The audience watched the troops perform a number of dances including the stick dance in their bright and colourful Morris Men outfits.

The Rumworth Morris has been going since the 1970s with Mr Dann joining in 1982 through being a fan of folk dance and music.

He said: “We have travelled to Germany and Belgium, and across this country performing.

“It is about celebrating and valuing traditions.”

Mr Dann, now aged 60, said: “It is great exercise. Everybody is fit and there is great camaraderie.

“I have friends all over the country and we enjoy socialising and going for a drink.

He added: “Anyone who wants to join can do so through our website.”

Shoppers who stopped to watch said they enjoyed watching the dancers revive a tradition.

Marjorie Grimshaw, aged 69, from Bolton said: "We heard the music and came to watch.

"It is a celebration of our traditions, and I have enjoyed watching them."