A HAMPSHIRE tradition revived in the 1970s has celebrated its 40th anniversary.

The Otterbourne Mummers stage the the ancient folk play in the village between Winchester and Eastleigh.

It is a link between the 21st century and the time when villagers, mostly farmworkers, enjoyed many traditions passed down the generations.

The revival was led by Paul Marsh, 64, whose great uncle performed it in the early 1900s.

Mr Marsh said: “My mum used to talk about when she was a young girl and her uncle at family parties would talk about the mummers.

“Mum said ‘go and see great Uncle Tom Goodchild’ and he was able to remember it from when he was a kid at the time. I talked to him about it in 1972.”

The play, performed in striking costumes made of strips of wallpaper, is based on the fight between good and evil. Topical references are always inserted to keep the performance fresh, said Mr Marsh, who added that he thought the Victorian performers would readily recognise the play.

Mr Marsh and Albert Wilkins are the only two founder members who still perform the show, now held once a year on the last Sunday before Christmas.

The event is staged in Park Lane outside the home of Sylvia Warne, whose grandfather was a mummer in the 19th century. She said: “It’s fantastic. They come, rain, snow or ice.”

Mr Marsh, of Brambridge, said they had no intention of dropping the annual performance which used to be performed in local mansions and pubs.