LEYLAND Morris Men are jumping for joy after securing a lottery grant which will see them launch a book and video on the history of their dance troupe.

The group, based at the guide hut, Fox Lane, has been going for more than a century and continues to work with youth groups in the community.

They are a popular feature at local ftes and used to make regular appearances at the former Leyland Festival.

Recently the toe-tapping group hit the jackpot after clinching a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Countryside Agency and the Nationwide Building Society, to fund research into the traditions and culture of their work.

Now, they want local people to step forward with historical information on Leyland May Festivals, the Morris Men and also the Moss Side and St James' Morris Dancers for a book and video.

Paul Dryden, 46, has been dancing with bells on his shoes and sticks in his hands for nearly 30 years with Leyland Morris Men.

He said: "This is great news for us. We're delighted our history will be in print. We are quite modern now and our youngest member is about 36, so we would welcome youngsters to join in to pass on the tradition."

The Leyland Morris Men's style is thought to have come from Knutsford when local people visited the Cheshire town in 1889.

Their costumes are distinctive black velvet trousers, white shirts and socks topped off with straw boaters, decorated with flowers.

Paul said: "No one knows where the dance comes from but it may originate from travelling poets or from the Moorish people when they came over."

Leyland Morris Men will be performing at Knutsford Festival on Saturday, May 3, and for Lytham Club Day on Saturday, June 28.

If you have photographs or information about the Morris Men call Roy Smith on 716772, Len Daniels on 434458 or Alan Cowie on 743916.