PUPILS in Wiltshire have been trying their hand at traditional folk dancing at the annual Children’s Day of Dance in Melksham.

Organised by Melksham Country Dancers, every year hundreds of primary school pupils join in the event at the Assembly Hall.

The dance was first founded in the 1976 by group member Kathleen MacFerran and this year is the 39th year it has been running.

Eight schools from West Wiltshire took to the floor to perform dances such as Lucky Seven and Cumberland Square Eight on Wednesday during the two sessions.

In the morning 107 pupils from Churchfields Village School in Atworth, Winsley CofE Primary School in Bradford on Avon and Paxcroft Primary in Trowbridge took part.

In the afternoon 150 pupils joined in from Melksham school’s Aloeric Primary and Forest and Sandridge as well as Trowbridge primary’s from West Ashton and Holt.

As part of their extra-curricular lessons they study the traditional folk dances before coming together to showcase what they have learnt.

Organiser and group member Christine Gale said the event helps children understand the heritage of the dance and brings pupils from all different schools together.

She added: “The children seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The numbers were not as good as we had at last years but we got a very high standard of dancing.”

The club meets every Monday from 7.30-9.30pm at Melksham Riverside Club. All ages and abilities are welcome. For more information contact chairman Geoff Elwell on 01225 703650.