COCONUT bashing and bell-jingling made their annual appearance at Bacup on Easter Saturday.

Britannia Coconutters danced from one end of the town to the other in the traditional boundary to boundary dance, stopping at pubs along the way.

The group of 14 dancers and four musicians was hard to miss with their blackened faces, red and white costumes and red kilts and clogs.

The Coconutters have been doing their annual Bacup dance and performing in other parts of the country since forming in 1903. At that time they replaced the Tunstead Mill Nutters.

The 'nuts,' which are clicked between their knees and in their hands are actually made of maple wood.

And the dances they perform are folk dances and the custom of blackened faces may reflect a pagan or medieval background to disguise the dancers from being recognised by evil spirits.

Leader Richard Shufflebottom, of Hope Street, said: "We had a great day which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who came along and by the dancers. The weather was kind to us too, which helped with the success of the day."

The dances are supposed to have originated with moorish pirates, hence the costume.

Some of these sailors are said to have settled in Cornwall and become employed in local mining. As mines and quarries opened in Lancashire in the 18th and 19th centuries a few Cornishmen came North, bringing with them mining expertise.

The tradition spread throughout Rossendale and around the turn of the century there were at least four troupes. One of these was the Tunstead Mill Troupe who celebrated their half century in 1907. It is from this troupe that Britannia is descended.

Seven Dances are performed. Five Garland Dances, simply known as Numbers 1 to 5 and two Nut Dances 'Thowd Cash' and the 'Figures'.

The Garland Dances are performed in square sets where each of the dancers carries an arched Garland decorated to resemble red, white and blue flowers. These are Spring ritual dances connected with the renewal of crops.

Similar dances were performed in feudal times when rushbearing carts took rushes to the Lord of the Manor. One of the dancers carries a whip and is known as the whiffler or whipper in. He precedes the dancers and it is his duty to crack the whip to drive away any evil spirits or forces of evil.

The 'Nut Dance' is unusual and performed in a straight line. Each dancer wears wooden discs or 'nuts' on his hands, knees and belt. During the dance the discs are struck together in time to the music.

The 'Nutters' have travelled far and wide, appearing several times at the Royal Albert Hall for the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

They have attended the International Eisteddfod on four occasions and visited many towns throughout the country and have appeared in International Festivals in Holland and Belgium.

They have also appeared on TV on numerous occasions including on Larry Grayson's Generation Game, Magpie, Surprise Surprise and Jigsaw.