A little bit of folklore that lives on in almost every village, morris dancing is one of Britain's more curious customs. It is a staple of our summer and no country fete would be complete without its soundtrack of tinkling bells, clashing sticks and a symphony of accordions. Although we may not know much about them, their distinct attire and charming enthusiasm for all things folk make morris men and women easy to spot.

But, morris dancing has taken a beating in recent years and reputation may suggest that the tradition is starting to go a bit stale. In just the last decade, morris dancing has faced a reported membership crisis as well as a backlash over the use of black facepaint.

The situation in Sheffield, however, may be a beacon of hope to those concerned about the loss of, arguably, Britain’s most marmite custom.

There are plenty of groups in the steel city proving that morris dancing is much more than a bunch of blokes with bells on.

Often hailed as the folk capital of the North, Sheffield is home to dancers of most styles and all ages and holds events throughout the summer celebrating the thriving scene. Groups are abundant in comparison to much of the rest of the country, with new teams starting up and many older teams still growing in numbers.