A traditional ‘sword dance’ which dates back around 200 years is in danger of dying out.

Sword dancing in Kirkburton can trace its history to the turn of the 19th century and, in its modern form, to 1974 with the creation of the Kirkburton Rapier Dancers.

At present there are only seven or eight active Rapier Dancers.

Club secretary Mark Shaw wants to attract two or three more to secure the organisation’s future.

“We could do with more members as we are conscious that we are not getting any younger. I am 50 and I am one of the younger ones. There’s a big age gap between me and the older ones.”

His son Toby, 21, is among the newer recruits.

Mr Shaw says the dancing is fun and there’s lots of pub-going and meeting people!

Members have performed across the UK and in Holland, Germany and Russia. Performances often take place in village squares or inside pubs.

“We would really like the tradition to remain,” said Mr Shaw.

“We need to increase our membership – a couple more people will do us just fine. We would like more people to come forward so we can maintain the village tradition.”

It’s a men-only club and new members will be required to wear a uniform which includes clogs, a white shirt, black trousers, and a bespoke waistcoat.

New members will then be taught the dances and how to handle a ‘rapier’, a one metre length of steel.

All the kit they need – apart from trousers – is paid for by the club.

Subs are around £5 a year and meetings are held fortnightly on Monday evenings in the Carlton Working Men’s Club on School Hill, Kirkburton.

Anyone who is interested can visit the website www.kirkburtonrapier.co.uk