The dancers, who came from throughout the country, joined the Scarborough-based Yorkshire Coast Morris group, which has many members from Whitby and the surrounding area, for its annual weekend festival in Robin Hood’s Bay.

After dancing in the ‘Bay they held an evening ceilidh on Saturday in Fylingdales Hall.

On Sunday, despite heavy rain, they danced in Whitby and also presented the Gordon Crowther Memorial Staff to the Mucky Morris Men of St Helens, Lancashire on the pier.

John Gorton, the group’s foreman, who teaches the dancers, said: “The memorial staff is in memory of Gordon, our squire who died 11 years ago.

“He was such an enthusiastic dancer that it goes to the side expressing the best spirit of the dance.

“We got soaked on Sunday but we kept going because that’s in the spirit of the dance. We also had a good audience – although they did take shelter in all the nearby cafes when the weather got really bad.

“We love dancing and keeping the tradition alive and we’ve danced all over the country as well as in Scarborough’s twin towns in France and Germany.”

The festival was organised by Yorkshire Coast Morris and also taking part were the Heage Windmillers, a group of young clog dancers aged eight to 15.

John is appealing for musicians and dancers who would like to join them.

He said: “We are based in Scarborough but we also have members from Whitby and the surrounding area and we’ll train anyone who is interested in joining us.”

The group meets on Thursday evenings in Scarborough Sea Cadets’ hall by the harbour.

Call John on (01723) 890913.