Wanted: Morris men or women. Must like wearing bells around their ankles, jumping up and down bashing sticks and throwing shapes on the village green and a variety of licensed premises.

Eastern Daily Press: The King's Morris take the May Day garland blowing their ox horns, around the town centre in King's Lynn. Picture: Matthew Usher.The King's Morris take the May Day garland blowing their ox horns, around the town centre in King's Lynn. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © Archant Norfolk 2015)

A morris dancing team is looking for new members to help to keep its ancient folk tradition alive.

Despite its image of men of a certain aged dressed in baldrics and bellpads, King's Lynn-based King's Morris said it welcomes both male and female dancers to its ranks.

Mark Warrell, the side's squire, said: 'There's no formal qualification and you can be male or female if you're 16 or over, with an interest in music, you don't need to know the dances.'

Asked if routines in which dancers jump up and down and bash each other's sticks are slightly dangerous, Mr Warrell added: 'We've never had an injury, I've been doing it 24 years.'

Eastern Daily Press: CAPTION; Photos of the Kings Morris Dancing at The Swan, South Wootton for Charity on Boxing Day. PHOTO; Matthew Usher COPY; Annabelle Dickson FOR; EDP NEWS COPYRIGHT; EDP pics © 2008 TEL; (01603) 772434CAPTION; Photos of the Kings Morris Dancing at The Swan, South Wootton for Charity on Boxing Day. PHOTO; Matthew Usher COPY; Annabelle Dickson FOR; EDP NEWS COPYRIGHT; EDP pics © 2008 TEL; (01603) 772434 (Image: Archant © 2009)

Formed almost 40 years ago to perform the traditional Cotswold dances, the King's Morris are a familiar site around West Norfolk during their summer season, when they tour pubs and villages to dance in their distinctive grey top hats.

The group has also revived the centuries-old tradition of the May Day Garland, which is paraded through King's Lynn to celebrate May 1.

Before that, the group dance up the dawn on the highest point in West Norfolk, the Knights Hill Roundabout. Mr Warrell said members needed to be early risers to take part.

'You've got to be able to get up to dance at 5.18am,' he added.

Eastern Daily Press: CAPTION; Photos of EDP Reporter Chris Hill trying out for the Kings Morris during one of their rehersals at the Memorial Hall in St Germans. Pic shows Chris (far left) getting into the spirit of morris dancing during a group tuition session. PHOTO; Matthew Usher COPY; Chris Hill FOR; EDP NEWS COPYRIGHT; EDP pics © 2008 TEL; (01603) 772434CAPTION; Photos of EDP Reporter Chris Hill trying out for the Kings Morris during one of their rehersals at the Memorial Hall in St Germans. Pic shows Chris (far left) getting into the spirit of morris dancing during a group tuition session. PHOTO; Matthew Usher COPY; Chris Hill FOR; EDP NEWS COPYRIGHT; EDP pics © 2008 TEL; (01603) 772434 (Image: Archant © 2008)

The King's Morris rehearse their dances on Monday nights, at the Memorial Hall at St Germans.

They perform around 20 times a year, accompanied by a troupe of musicians playing the fiddle, melodeons, accordion and pipe-and-tabor.

While the summer season is almost over, prospective recruits have one more chance to catch them.

On Sunday, September 10, they will be performing in King's Lynn as part of the town's Heritage Open Day.

Eastern Daily Press: CAPTION; Photos of EDP Reporter Chris Hill trying out for the Kings Morris during one of their rehersals at the Memorial Hall in St Germans. Pic shows the Kings Morris practicing. PHOTO; Matthew Usher COPY; Chris Hill FOR; EDP NEWS COPYRIGHT; EDP pics © 2008 TEL; (01603) 772434CAPTION; Photos of EDP Reporter Chris Hill trying out for the Kings Morris during one of their rehersals at the Memorial Hall in St Germans. Pic shows the Kings Morris practicing. PHOTO; Matthew Usher COPY; Chris Hill FOR; EDP NEWS COPYRIGHT; EDP pics © 2008 TEL; (01603) 772434 (Image: Archant © 2008)

They will dance at the Saturday Market Place (11am), the Bank House Hotel, King Staithe Square (12.30pm); and the Hanse House, on South Quay (2pm).

Abyone who would like to find out more about joining should call Mr Warrell, on 01485 543965 or go online to www.kingsmorris.co.uk.