The Flagcrackers of Craven are offering men, women and children the chance to have a go at morris dancing.

The Skipton team is holding an open taster session for anyone interested in trying Border morris dancing — the colourful stick brandishing variety.

It will take place at the group’s usual practice venue — Farnhill Institute — on Sunday, February 26, from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

A second open day will be held on March 18.

The Flagcrackers’ ethos is to retain traditional morris dances and evolve new ones and with members ranging from four to 70-plus, it is open to anyone, with no previous experience necessary.

“The lively and noisy stick-clashing show that the Flagcrackers put on for their audiences at home and abroad may look relaxed and spontaneous but it is actually a well-oiled machine that belies its own complexities,” said a spokesman for the group.

The mixed team has a repertoire of many dances, of which in any given year around 12 are constantly rehearsed and danced out. Members have travelled abroad to take part in prestigious international events such as Europade, at Quimper, in Brittany, while closer to home they perform at many English festivals. They will be travelling to Chippenham this spring.

For more information, contact 01282 775026.