CLAIMS that morris dancing will die out have been rubbished by a local troupe who says it is ‘flourishing’ in East Lancashire.

The leader of the national organisation which aims to encourage morris dancing said this week it was possible in 20 years’ time there will be no dancers left as young people were embarassed to take part.

But this has been denied in East Lancashire where Darwen Morris Dancers has 60 members of all ages and the Britannia Coconut Dancers of Bacup remain popular.

Sandra Jackson of Darwen Morris Dancers said: “Our dance troupes are flourishing, but the morris dancing we do here in Lancashire and going as far south as Staffordshire is different to the morris dancing found in other parts of the country.

“Our dancing is derived from the carnivals which used to take place in the mill towns, and is a faster pace - it’s much more like an aerobic workout.

“Our costumes are also different. Whereas men morris dancers in other parts of the country will wear clothing made up of rags, we wear uniforms which are like dresses and made out of shiny material.”

Sandra said there were a lot of troupes in the area at the moment but admitted that it was mainly girls who were members.

She added: “Currently we have about 60 members - roughly 12 people in each of our five sections, which range from toddlers to seniors, where there is no age limit.

“Some seasons we have had as many as 100 members.”

The origins of morris dancing are disputed. First recorded in England in the 15th century, it is thought that “morris” may be a derivation from the French morisque, meaning dance though many believe it arrived from Morocco via Spain.

Others trace the dances to ancient fertility rites or martial exercises, or see them as a popular variant of the clowning of court jesters.