A COLOURFUL collection of Morris dancers, men dis­guised under horses' heads, the Archdruid of Wales and hundreds of onlookers met on the old Wye bridge during Chepstow's unique border celebrations.

The meeting of the Welsh Mari Lwyd and the English Wassail is organised by The Widders border Morris dance group.

Both the Mari Lwyd, or Grey Mare, and the Wassail are ancient traditions to bring luck.

Seven Mari Lwyds waited on the Welsh side of the Wye while the Wassail was celebrated at Elmdale on the Tutshill side.

Also with them was Archdruid Rollo Maugh­­fling with a new staff made of ash grown near Devauden and made by Mick Widder of Chepstow.

The meeting of the two traditions is the key moment in the celebrations which include calling into pubs and lots of dancing.

Traditional dance and music groups from as far away as Pembroke­shire and Nottingham joined the celebrations.

The Mari Lwyds also visited the Bridge pub and Chepstow Museum.

Organiser Mick Widd­er said: "The meeting at the border is to look forward to the new year and to forget anything bad that has gone on during the last year.

"We then invite the English into Wales for a drink."