TO some there is nowt as queer as folk music - but to retired headteacher Harry Davies it is nothing short of inspirational.

The 72-year-old former councillor has shrugged off serious health scares and British apathy to travel Europe in search of weird and wonderful new dances.

As a newly-elected member of the council for international organisation of folk festivals, (CIOFF), he has recently visited delegates in Hungary, Sweden and Portugal - all in the name of preserving traditional cultures.

As chairman of the world-renowned Billingham International Folklore Festival, Mr Davies is also determined that British traditions are kept alive a little closer to home.

Fresh from his travels and at home in Billingham, Mr Davies said that despite fading interest in folk dancing, the future is still bright for traditional culture.

He said: "A lot of traditional dances are gradually fading out in this country which is a pity because the fabric of our society is based on this type of culture.

"The problem is that in Britain we are bad at selling ourselves and seem to be only interested in the present and the future.

"Despite that I can see it surviving here for a long time - I think the Billingham Folklore Festival will be around for 100 years or more.

"We've started workshops for children with Stockton Borough Council and they are very popular and there's even a CIOFF Youth group that has been set up."

Mr Davies, who has undergone a quadruple heart bypass operation, said his travels have filled him with confidence for the future.

He said: "I'm off to another CIOFF conference in Bangkok in November and I expect to bring back even more talent for the next Billingham Festival."