THE Forest of Dean Morris will be clipping on their bells and gathering together their sticks and handkerchiefs for their 40th Morris Dancing Festival which will take place across the Dean.

The dance festival, taking place next weekend (June 11 and 12) will bring together 15 sides or teams coming together from all over the country.

All the teams will meet at 10am at Beechenhurst Lodge on Saturday morning before heading off on five separate tours.

Tour A at: The George Inn, St. Briavels (11.30am); The Anchor, Tintern (12.45pm); The Piercefield, St. Arvans (3.00pm); The Three Tunns, Chepstow (4.00pm).

Tour B at: The Woodman, Parkend (11.15am); The Malt Shovel, Ruardean (12.30pm); The New Inn, St Owen's cross (3.00pm); The Garway Moon Inn, Garway Common (4.00pm).

Tour C at: The Ostrich Inn, Newland (11.30am); The Miner's Arms, Whitecroft (12.45pm); The Rising Sun, Moseley Green (2.30pm); The Railway Inn, Newnham on Severn (4.15pm).  

Tour D at: The Red Lion, Westbury on Severn (11.30am); The Red Lion, Huntley (12.45pm); The Courtfield Arms, Lower Lydbrook (2.45pm); The Malt Shovel, Ruardean (4.00pm).

Tour E at: The Farmer's Boy, Longhope (11.30am); The Weston Cross, Weston-under-Penyard (12.30pm); The Hope and Anchor, Ross on Wye (12.30pm), The Boat Inn, Penallt (4.00pm).

Finally, on Sunday morning, the sides will gather again at 11am for Sunday morning dancing at The Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley, ending with a massed dance.