A County Durham Morris dancing group has received a grant to help get more people into the pastime.

The Sadberge-based Locos in Motion Border Morris, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, has been awarded £2,427 from the community fund linked to OnPath Energy’s nearby Moor House Wind Farm.

The grant will cover the cost of publicising and putting on an open workshop and the group’s hall hire costs for the next year.

Anne Alderson, of Locos in Motion Border Morris, said: "We’re a very friendly and sociable group.

"Morris dancing is great exercise, we have a lot of fun and we’d love to see more people joining us.

"Our free workshop will give local people the opportunity to try a healthy and social activity.

(Image: Locos in Motion Border Morris)

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"No prior experience is needed and there is no commitment to join the group but we hope some participants will want to join and help us sustain a traditional pastime which has been going on for centuries."

The group, which performs regularly at festivals and galas around the region, is now set to hold an open workshop at Sadberge Village Hall on November 9 for anyone interested in giving Morris dancing a try.

The grant is also allowing the group to purchase new branded clothing and accessories to help refresh their black and silver kit, which is modelled on the historic Locomotion No. 1 rail engine colours.

Robin Winstanley, sustainability and community director at OnPath Energy, said: "The members of Locos in Motion Border Morris group clearly have a lot of fun during their displays and events, and it’s brilliant to see how keen they are to share this enjoyment with the local community."