LEDBURY was the Midlands capital of morris dancing last Sunday, as the town played host to ten morris "sides" for a day of stick-clacking and jingling, watched by hundreds.

The local morris "side", the Silurian Border Morris Men, organised the so-called "Black Meet", and the event was so successful, already plans are being laid for Ledbury to host the meet again, in 2017.

The meet takes place each year, moving from location to location; but Silurian spokesman, Keith Francis, is hopeful that, after Much Wenlock in 2016, it will be Ledbury's honour again, in 2017.

The annual gathering of Morris teams, who perform in the Welsh Border tradition, includes dances from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. One particular element of these dances is that the dancers disguise themselves with black faces. The dances are lively and accompanied by a variety of musical instruments including accordion, drum, brass, fiddle and guitar.

The meet always takes place on the Sunday nearest to St George's Day.

Mr Francis, who is also a town councillor, said: "It was an excellent day, and there were a lot of people watching us - into the hundreds, over the whole day. We really did have a good turn-out.

"We've already had lots of complimentary letters from visiting sides, and it is an event we shall probably do again, in two years time."

Mr Francis added: "Ledbury is a place that lends itself to events of this kind. For example, it was wonderful to dance outside the Master' House; what a wonderful setting."

During the event, the Silurians were able to hand over a cheque of £1,200 to a St Michael's Hospice representative.

The total was raised through a New Year wassailing event in cider orchards at Westons, Much Marcle, with match-funding from Westons.