Crowds celebrate May Day with worship and dancing in Somerset

A green man takes part in Beltane celebrations at Glastonbury Chalice Wel

Celebrations to mark the beginning of May have taken place across Somerset.

A crowd gathered on Glastonbury Chalice Well earlier to celebrate Beltane, where they observe a modern interpretation of the ancient Celtic pagan fertility rite of Spring.

It saw chanting, reflection and moments of celebration take place.

Elsewhere, three Morris groups performed from 5:30 BST as the sun rose over Ham Hill in Stoke-sub-Hamdon near Yeovil to celebrate May Day.

May Day is a European festival that dates back nearly a thousand years.

Morris dancing involves performers - often wearing hats and bells on their legs - wielding handkerchiefs, sticks or swords, to the accompaniment of folk music.

Jenny Hunniset, from the Treacle Eaters Clog Morris Dancers who performed at Ham Hill said the group had been practising all winter for two hours every Monday to be ready for the summer season of dancing.

She said: "Morris dancers celebrate the dawn on May first and its a welcome to the summer.

"Treacle Eaters have been coming here since we formed in 1983 with our good friends Wyvern Jubilee Morris and the more recently formed team Enigma."

People hail to West as they they take part in the Beltane celebrations at Glastonbury Chalice Well

People collectively chant as they they take part in the Beltane celebrations

People hail to the North as they they take part in the Beltane celebrations at Glastonbury Chalice Well

People jump the fire during the Beltane celebrations at Glastonbury Chalice Well

People take a few minutes of reflection during the Beltane celebrations at Glastonbury Chalice Well

Wyvern Morris dancers bringing in the first of May on Ham Hill

Treacle Eaters Morris dancers have been performing on the hill since they formed in the 80s

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