MORRIS dancers in Dorset are crying out for new members amid fears the pastime could die out.

Dancers jumped to the defence of the traditional folk dance after it was warned that it could fade away within 20 years with young people too embarrassed to keep up the numbers.

Don Byfleet, 82, of the Wessex Morris Men, believes the lack of young dancers on troupes give the dancing a bad image.

He said: “Some morris dancing groups are pathetic and they put people off.

“Morris dancing is traditionally a very vigorous activity and there are sides that have no trouble attracting young people as they still dance that way.

“But a lot of sides are not up to it and too many people shuffle through poor displays.”

“That gives it a bad image.”

The comments came after the Morris Ring, an association representing 200 troupes nationwide, warned that the folk dance could soon become ‘extinct’.

It said that numbers were dwindling fast as the membership died out.

Mr Byfleet, of Fraser Avenue, Weymouth, said he was the oldest of the Wessex Morris Men, but their youngest was aged 30.

He added: “Some people try morris dancing when they give up football but by then they are into their 40s and 50s.

“There’s something splendid about dancing in villages and meeting nice people on summer evenings but youngsters don’t seem to be interested in that sort of thing these days.”

“I’m still going strong though.”

Sue Peach, 48, of the Festus Derriman dancers, who practice in Upwey, said she shared concerns that numbers were dangerously low.

She said: “Sooner or later there won’t be anyone dancing as everybody is going to have to retire through old age.

“People enjoy watching but it’s getting them to take part that’s difficult.

“When we perform in campsites we get children who are keen to join in but when they get to a certain age I presume it is too embarrassing.”

Charlie Corcoran, Bagman of the Morris Ring, added: “There’s a distinct possibility that in 20 years’ time there will be nobody left. It worries me a great deal.

“Young people are just too embarrassed to take part.”

Paul Reece, chairman of the advisory council of the Morris Ring, added: “Today it is carried out by an ever-dwindling stalwart band of enthusiasts who are determined to keep them alive.

“But there is a serious danger that in less than a few decades morris dancing will be confined to the history books.”