ALFORD Market Place will once again come alive with the sound of bells and clashing sticks over the Bank Holiday weekend.

After two years away, Alford Morris Festival returns this year providing a celebration of the age old tradition which it is hoped will attract a host of visitors to the town.

Alford Morris dancers will be joined by seven sides (around 80 people) from across the county including Grimsby and Malden with dancing starting on Sunday August 29.

Alan Whitcombe from Alford Chamber of Trade has been involved with trying to bring the festival back to the town.

He said: "I love the Morris dancers and the businesses want them back because it attracts a fair amount of money, Alford only has tourism to go with these days.

"It's taken 15 months to get back to this and we want to grow it again. They will be entertaining in the pubs on the Saturday night by playing music and dancing will begin on the Sunday."

Dancing will get underway at 11am, taking place in the Windmill car park, at the Manor House and around the town and culminating in a lantern parade in the Market Place on Sunday night, accompanied by pipe band music.

Alford Morris bagman Patrick Purves has also been involved in arranging to get the festival back and put Alford on the map last year by taking a position on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth.

Mr Purves said: "Many commentators on TV and radio and in the papers, used such words as 'dying art' or 'disappearing heritage', making the attempt a bit of an own goal.

"Nevertheless, Morris is alive and kicking, bounding, clashing sticks and entertaining crowds all over England and Wales, as befits the last truly English, and Welsh, activity."

This year's festival has been made possible thanks to assistance from East Lindsey District Council, Alford Town Council, Dave and Jill Dixon of the Half Moon, the Crown at Maltby, Alford and District Cricket Club, Stagecoach and Chris Dalton.