MORRIS men and women are joining forces to dance together under a new name – West Somerset Morris.

It was decided at a meeting of the two sides to combine the West Somerset Morris Men and the ladies’ West Somerset Border Morris as an important step in the development of morris dancing in the are.

Squire Joe Raucki, who chaired the meeting, said: “We have been dancing alongside for the last three years and it seemed sensible for us to formally join together.

“Since the ladies joined us in the Border side, they have made an important contribution to our performance in West Somerset and beyond.”

The meeting unanimously supported the proposal and went on to agree that kit for both men and women would be the traditional Baldricks for Cotswold dances and tatter jackets for Border dances.

Winter practices are already underway and new members are most welcome. Details can be found on the West Somerset Morris Men website.

The combined sides are pictured dancing on Minehead seafront.