AFTER a four-year absence, Winchester Mayfest is back in town!

On Saturday, May 7, the High Street and Cathedral Close will come alive with the colours and sounds of a diverse array of folk dancing.

Around 25 teams, known as sides, will be dancing in the different Morris traditions, as well as Appalachian dancers who will be entertaining the crowds in St Maurice's Covert.

These sides come from Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and neighbouring counties, and will put on a fantastic variety of displays.

The highlight of the day will be watching each side put on a show dance for the Mayor, between 2 - 3.30 pm in front of the Cathedral. This will be immediately followed by a mass dance for the public to join in, led by Wickham Morris.

The event hopes to attract more than just die-hard Morris dance fans... Ticklish Allsorts professional children's entertainment team will be in the Cathedral Close throughout the day, and children from Cygnets Playgroup in Barton Stacey will put on a Maypole display at 1pm nearby.

In St Lawrence Church, you can enjoy music from the Southampton Folk Orchestra, Bella Voce youth choir and Barton Stacey Community choir.

Finally, members of Winchester Musicals and Operatic Society will be presenting excerpts from their forthcoming musical 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in St Maurice's Covert and elsewhere.

All the displays and events are free, but collections will be taken for the future running of Mayfest.