YOUNG morris dancers gathered for a traditional “knees up” in a bid to prove that the old English dance was alive and kicking.

Around 50 enthusiasts flocked to a Community Ceilidh — an evening of traditional music and dance — in Horwich on Friday.

The event was a bid to attract more members to the Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men team in the wake of recent predictions sounding the death knell for the tradition.

Charlie Corcoran, Bagman of the Morris Ring, an association representing more than 200 morris troupes across Britain, said the traditional form of dancing would be extinct in 20 years because youngsters these days were “too cool” to get involved.

But the Horwich group seems to be bucking the trend as it has plenty of young members.

Richard Hall, aged 12, of Bolton Road, Westhoughton, has been morris dancing since he was six and believes young people can get a lot out of it.

“I like it because it’s different from what everyone else does and I enjoy doing it because it makes you different,” said Richard who goes to Westhoughton High School.

Sam Wilcock, aged 16, of Highfield Road, Blackrod, who also started morris dancing when he was six-years-old, agreed. “I was pleasantly surprised by how many people turned up for the ceilidh and joined in with the traditional dancing,” he said.

“I like morris dancing because it gives you the opportunity of travelling around the country, keeps you fit and gives you experiences you wouldn’t normally have.”

Sam said he hoped to continue dancing and had even had friends asking him how they could get involved.

Secretary of Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men, Bob Bradley, said the group had been working to make sure that morris dancing did not die out in Horwich, which is reflected by the number of younger members who have signed up.

The group was established in 1975 and the most notable event in which it takes part each year is the Day for St George, where teams from across the North-west gather in Horwich to perform.

The Community Ceilidh took place at St Mary’s Hall, in Bosworth Street, and saw the Horwich morris men giving a display and a workshop of one of the team’s easier dances.

Proceeds from the ceilidh went to the Mayor of Horwich’s chosen charities which are Fortalice and Paws for Kids