Maldon morris dancers will be bringing out their bell pads once again for their first session of the season.

The folk dancing crew perform at events around the district and are now calling for new recruits to reinforce their ranks.

The Green Jackets are a mixed side based in Maldon and mainly perform dances which originate from the Cotswolds.

Cotswold morris comes from the villages in an area of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire and is the style most often associated with morris dancing.

The dances typically require six people, plus musicians, and as well as wearing bells they also use sticks and hankies.

During the winter months the Green Jackets practise at the United Reformed Church Hall in Maldon.

Spokesman Sarah Packard said: “October 15 is our first practice evening and we would really like to see some new faces.

“There are only a few of us at the moment and some new members would really help us to dance out more in the summer and attend various events across Essex and beyond.

“In the past we have attended folk festivals and other events in the UK and Europe and would love to do so again, but we need more dancers to ensure we have enough to commit to taking part.”

Following on from their summer success at Heritage Weekend, Broadstairs Folk Festival and pubs around Essex, as well as the Quayside in Maldon, the group is hoping to take on more folk-inspired challenges this winter.

Sarah added: “We also hope to be dancing at the Tiptree Christmas fair on November 21 and at the Queen Victoria in Spital Road on December 22.

“New members are always welcome, male or female, young or old. No experience is needed – just energy and enthusiasm.”

The evening will take place from 8pm to 10pm at the URC Hall.

Maldon is the home to three different morris groups reflecting three different traditions of morris dancing.

The other groups are Alive and Kicking and the Dark Horses. To find out more, visit maldonmorris.org.