THE school hall at St Andrew's Primary School in Blunsdon was a blur of colour as youngsters marked May Day by taking part in traditional Maypole dancing.

Children from all years of the school took turns throughout the day to learn the steps from Gloucester-based country dance teachers Lionel and Joy Parkhouse.

Mr Parkhouse said: "I have been involved in country dancing for more than 50 years and we travel all over the place to teach our skills.

"Maypole dancing stems from the same tradition as Morris dancing."

Mr Parkhouse said it traces its roots back to pagan fertility symbols and celebrations to welcome in the spring. The tradition of having ribbons attached was introduced from Germany by Prince Albert about 150 years ago.

Year four class teacher Sarah Clark said: "This is something we do each year, and the children remember taking part from year to year. They all really enjoy themselves, even the boys.

"It is nice to do something traditional and English."

Naomi Thompson, eight, said: "It was quite difficult to do at first, but we all soon got the hang of it. I enjoy the dancing a lot."

May day celebrations in England reached their height in the Middle Ages, when villagers would set up a Maypole on the village green, usually made from the trunk of a tall tree and decorated with flowers. Villagers would dance around the pole accompanied by a piper.