CHILDREN in the moorland village of Goathland, near Whitby, have been given cash help to safeguard the future of a 1,000-year-old tradition.

Goathland Plough Stots have re-formed their junior sword dancing team after many years and they have now been provided with uniforms after cash support came from Scarborough Borough Council, Yorkshire Rural Community Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

The sword-dancing stots, who perform fertility dances, were revived about 70 years ago after being lapsed for nearly half a century.

The stots' secretary, Keith Thompson, said: "It is crucial to have a junior team to keep the tradition alive for future generations."

The team's traditional dancing dates back to Viking times, said Mr Thompson.

However, unlike Morris dancing teams, the stots do not allow women into their numbers.

Children at Goathland's village school have been trained to perform the historic dances and have already made several public appearances.