Breton culture met Bront country last weekend when guests at a hostel near Howarth were treated to a festival of French folk dancing.

Three bands and a group of singers from Brittany arrived at Westfield Lodge, Oxenhope, on Saturday for a weekend of Breton and French traditional music and dance.

Around 150 dance lovers from all over Britain came to practice the traditional country dancing and singing, some even travelling from as far away as Sweden.

By day they took part in a series of workshops and on Friday and Saturday nights were entertained by the visitors from across the channel, taking part in a special French Bal or dance.

The weekend was organised by Leeds based group Les Panards Dansants, who were awarded £5,000 of lottery funding to stage the event.

Yannick Minvielle, a member of the group, who hold traditional French music and dance evenings every month at Headingley Parish Hall, said: "Everybody had a great time. They thought it was wonderful. It's lovely to have this kind of reaction.

"We would like to use that venue again because it fitted exactly with what we were looking for. In fact we are already starting to think of next year's project."

Denis Pagdin, proprietor of Westfield Lodge, added: "It was a fantastic weekend, they came from all over. Everybody enjoyed themselves and hopefully they are coming back."

Les Panards Dansants meet on the third Thursday of each month in Headingley.

Anyone who requires more information or is interested in taking part should contact Yannick on 01274 833473.