A JOURNALIST has slammed Worcester morris dancers for “racist” and “outdated” traditions.

Mared Parry, 23, from London, posted on twitter: “So I visited a friend in Worcester last week and I could not believe this vile scene I saw - about 25 white men in blackface all doing some sort of “traditional dancing” all while bystanders stood and clapped????? And apparently the UK ISN’T RACIST????”

The Morris dancers completed their annual Christmas tour through Worcester on Saturday, December 21, 2019. Border Morris Dancers

Miss Parry, lifestyle writer for Heart, added: “When I saw them me and my friends were absolutely gobsmacked. A big crowd was gathered watching them, no-one was phased by it. The audience were all white people, if this had happened in a bigger city the reaction would be very different. It is completely unacceptable, outdated and unnecessary to paint your face black in the name of tradition.”

Border Morris Dancers traditionally use the black face paint when dancing.

No-one from the Border Morris group were available to comment but a statement on their website from Adam Garland, Past Squire, said: “I have heard a number of theories regarding the origin of the practice of ‘blacking-up,’ but the one which seems to be most popular is that performers of the dance knew begging was illegal so disguised themselves by rubbing soot on their faces.

"All over the world one finds traditional folk customs for which costume and face paint are integral parts, for example certain tribal dancers in Africa white their faces for the performance. In England, the Morris world is no different; many Morris Clubs use face paint as part of their costume.

"The theory of the tradition originating as a form of disguise through the use of soot has been well documented. The use of one particular colour within these costumes is in no way a statement against one particular societal group and the Morris community refutes the accusation of racism most strongly.”

Labour Councillor, Lynn Denham said: “It is my understanding that this is an old English tradition, it is not an attempt to pretend to be an ethnicity you aren’t. It is nice to remember and appreciate old traditions in a modern era, however, these things can cause offence because times have changed.”