IT'S a folk dance that's as traditional to this county as Yorkshire pudding.
But Yorkshire long sword dancing is now under threat.
And while the dance is still ticking over in the form of the Kirkburton Rapier Dancers, the long sword dance revivalists are searching for new members.
The dancers were formed in 1974 during the sword dancing revival of the 1970s.
But the discipline, which is hundreds of years old, has since waned across the UK.
The group, which rehearses at The Carlton Club, Kirkburton , has 12 members and is keen to find some more.
The dancers have performed at numerous festivals including Holmfirth Folk Festival, Marsden Folk Festival and at shows in the North and in Ireland, Belgium and Germany.
On Saturday Kirkburton Rapier Dancers promoted their cause with dances at The Woodman and Foxglove pubs, Kirkburton, and Kirkburton Scout Groups village fete.
The performance at The Woodman was filmed for The East Peak Traditional Performance Project, which aims to preserve East Pennine traditions including long sword dancing.
Club secretary Mark Shaw said: "We have been struggling to keep the group going because our younger members are going to university.
"There's concern that our older members may hang up their clogs so were having a recruitment drive.
"We always get a good reaction from the crowds wherever we go.
"It's quite unusual to find groups still doing this dance we seem to be bucking the trend."
For more information about Kirkburton Rapier Dancers visit www.kirkburtonrapier.co.uk or call Mark on 07506 385872
