KENDAL is preparing to welcome dozens of rapper dancers and musicians next month for an event has nothing to do with modern-day rap music.

Instead, the major competition is a celebration of the fast-paced sword dances that originated in the North East coalfields back in the 19th century.

The pit-village tradition is being kept alive by enthusiasts dressed in breeches or hoggers, shirts and sashes, such as local team Crook Morris. They are delighted to be welcoming the Dancing England Rapper Tournament to their home town for 2017, following previous venues such as Manchester, Bristol and Leeds.

Eighteen sides from across the country - plus one from Denmark - will be taking part in the contest by staging free performances for the public on April 8 between 11am and 4pm at:

- Burgundy's Brewhouse, Lowther Street

- Ruskins Bar, Yard 2, off Stricklandgate

- Bootleggers, Finkle Street

- Factory Tap, Aynam Road

- and the Bridge Hotel, Stramongate.

Eight youth teams will also be dancing at Kendal Town Hall with a public performance there at 1pm - and a special competition is to take place at the town's Westmorland Shopping Centre to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance.

Sam Mason, 25, of Crook Morris, told the Gazette the history of rapper sword dancing was a little vague. However, it was thought the swords - strips of sprung steel with handles at each end - were once used by miners to clean dirt from their pit ponies' backs.

Teams of five would dance to earn a little extra money, accompanied by musicians and sometimes two fool characters, named Tommy and Betty.

Sam, a builder who lives near Endmoor, said the intricate dance moves could be acrobatic, featuring circles, knots, loops and twists.

"It's very fast and energetic. There are a lot of young people involved; a lot of the top teams are in their 20s," he said. "There's very rarely a dance or competition that doesn't involve a scraped knuckle or something like that."

The Saturday daytime events are free to watch, and there will be an entry fee for the Saturday evening showcase at Kendal Leisure Centre. The team that attracts the most donations to the Great North Air Ambulance while performing at the shopping centre will be awarded a shepherd's crook.

For more, visit www.dert2017.co.uk