A GROUP of morris dancers are to celebrate 40 years together by touring the area next month.

Belchamp Morris formed in the summer of 1976 and haven’t looked back since.

Alongside guest group Morris Slides they will be performing at 10 different locations including The Bell in Castle Hedingham on July 16.

Member John Bethell said: “I have only been with the group for a mere 20 years, but I have to say it has been a lot of fun.

"It has definitely been good for all the local breweries, but maybe not for our waist lines. It is a very enjoyable pastime, there is no doubt about that.

"Hopefully a few people see how much fun we have and come and try their hand at it, we are all getting on a little bit so we could probably do with a bit of a new generation coming through.

“I think if you see a bunch of people really enjoying themselves, you know laughing and grinning and obviously having a jolly good time, it maybe overcomes that slightly nerdy prejudice that people have of morris dancing.”

The day will commence with music, dancing and merriment at the Nethergate Brewery, who will be brewing a special “The Big 40” ale which will then be served in several pubs in the area.

After Nethergate the group will be moving on to the Bell in Castle Hedingham before visiting a number of other pubs and finishing up in The Victory in Wickham St Paul.

The group has been hugely successful, dancing in France and Germany and even appearing on EastEnders.

Visit belchampmorrismen.co.uk.