Morris dancers mark May Day celebrations in Maldon

Traditional Morris dancers were up early in Essex to mark the arrival of May Day.

Beginning at about 05:30 BST, the Maldon Green Jackets gathered at Promenade Park to celebrate the spring festival.

Clad in white with bells strapped to their shins, performers took part in their historic ritual.

"It's such a wonderful British tradition, and that's why it's important to keep it going," said the troup's Kev Packard.

He said the annual tradition was a "longstanding and valued" part of rural life, rooted in country customs and community spirit.

"It's a ritual we come together to uphold every year," he said.

"There's a real sense of community and you feel connected to something wonderful."

Speaking to BBC Essex, Packard said he had been involved with the group for more than 15 years, adding that this year's May Day was the warmest he could remember.

"It certainly made the morning feel even more special," he said.

He explained that the Green Jackets perform in a traditional Morris dancer costume, but with a green waistcoat instead of the standard tabard.

May Day is believed to have its roots in ancient pagan festivals and marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.

Dawn Morris dancing has taken place across the country for centuries and continues to be a popular way for groups to celebrate the changing seasons.

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