Hundreds of morris dancers are set to perform in Rochester during the Sweeps Festival this weekend.

Traditional teams from across the country, and even the Ragged Crow group from New Zealand, will flock to Medway in their hundreds to take part in the annual celebration.

The festival, which is one of the largest May Day events of its kind in the UK, will be packed with performances and events that promise to keep the whole family entertained.

There will be folk art, stalls and a fully-licensed bar in Rochester Castle Gardens, as well as live music in various locations.

English roots band Edward II will be performing in front of the castle keep in a ticketed concert on Saturday, which will also feature Glen Latouche and Funke and the Two Tone Baby.

Theo Carthy, Edward II bassist and vocalist, said: “We are really excited to be getting back to Rochester for this year’s Sweeps Festival. It is a truly unique event and the setting in the Castle Gardens is really quite remarkable.

“As a celebration of the Morris tradition we hope to bring an exotic twist to the weekend, which I am sure will be appreciated by dancers and general public alike.”

The festival's roots lie in traditional May Day celebrations when chimney sweeps enjoyed an annual holiday on May 1. Rochester’s chimney sweeps staged a procession each year to collect money but, when it became illegal to employ climbing boys to carry out the trade in 1868, the tradition began to fade.

The last May celebration was held in the early 1900s until keen local historian Gordon Newton revived the celebration in 1981. Medway Council has continued to support the festival, alongside Gordon, ever since.

“As a celebration of the Morris tradition we hope to bring an exotic twist to the weekend, which I am sure will be appreciated by dancers and general public alike" - Theo Carthy

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for community services, said: “The Sweeps Festival is one of the highlights of Medway’s event calendars.

“The festival is packed full of street performances and fairs for all the family to enjoy.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of residents and visitors to Rochester.”

The Sweeps Festival runs from Saturday until Monday in Rochester High Street and the Castle Gardens.