Morris dancers perform for village May Day

Around 200 people have gathered at sunrise to watch a Morris dancing performance for May Day.

Wessex Morris Men treated early risers to a display in Cerne Abbas, Dorset.

David Chiplen, is the squire for the group, and has been welcoming in the coming summer every 1 May for nearly 50 years.

With a beer in hand at 05:15BST, he said: "This is the most important day in any morris man's dance season, it's just a fantastic morning to be here on the Cerne."

Mr Chiplen said people had travelled from across the country to see them perform.

"It is a tradition that actually probably goes back to medieval times, bringing in the May," he said.

Jody was on hand to keep the dancers refreshed, he works for Cerne Abbas brewery.

He said they have been given out free beer to thirsty crowds every May for the last 11 years.

"It's quite exciting having to get up at 04:00 to hike two casks up a really steep hill, but it's nice to see the people here," he said.

Tony from Poole was celebrating his 60th birthday at the morning event.

"All of my lovely family and friends have got up at 03:00. I tried to sell it to them as coming up the top of a hill and see a load of old men hitting sticks with a handkerchief and I sold it to them," he said.

He described it as a "peaceful" event and a chance to see "how things used to be and how simple life can be".

He added: "It's just a moment everybody should come and see."

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