Decked out in the splendour of Venetian dress, they brought dances fit for Italian kings to Norwich and, in doing so, made history come alive.

Norwich Early Dance Group showed off their formal footwork yesterday as part of a Heritage Day celebration at Dragon Hall on King Street, in which free tours were also given of the building.

Harriet Cox is publicity officer for the group, which danced to 15th century music recorded with authentic instruments in the building's Great Hall while in full historic costume.

She said: 'It was great and a really nice day for those involved. There were a lot of people who came to give their support too, and those watching seemed really enthusiastic.

'Dragon Hall was also a great setting and, being long and narrow, was the right shape for these dances too.

'It really was lovely and I think that the dancers wanted to carry on at the end. It would be great to go back and I think we will do-we'd love to perform there again.'

With four performances from 11am to 2pm, there were five dances each 20 minute performance, involving a total of twenty dancers.

Heritage Open Days are organised to celebrate city's rich history by the Norwich Heritage Economic and Regenration Trust (HEART).Dragon Hall is a Grade 1 listed and was built in about 1430.