YOUNGSTERS will be bringing a village tradition back to life by performing a dance around a historic maypole.

Pupils from Higham St John Primary School have been learning how to work the ribbons for the upcoming May Day celebrations after an old maypole was rediscovered at the back of the village church.

It is thought the tradition has not been practised in the area for around 50 years.

The maypole has now been given a new base and painted ready for the pupils to use in their performance.

Headteacher Gareth Hollinghurst said it was great the pupils were getting so involved in the community.

He said: "The old maypole was found at St John's Church and it was in a pretty bad way so it's been given a bit of new life and the church asked the school if they would learn a dance for May Day around it.

"Our teaching assistant Hannah Shephard is luckily a qualified dance teacher so she did a bit of research and has been teaching them.

"They have really enjoyed it. The first few sessions were a bit slow because they were just trying to not get themselves tied in knots, but they've got there.

"It's really good for them to be involved in the community this way and it's something we always look to do as a school."

Dancing round the maypole is a tradition which is believed to have started in Roman Britain around 2,000 years ago when soldiers celebrated the arrival of spring by dancing around decorated trees.

Around 20 children from the Higham Hall Road school all aged from seven to 11 will be taking part and performing two different dances.

The May Day celebrations in the village on Monday will also include arts and crafts, historians, dancing and exhibitions.