READERS are split on a Morris dancing side who have taken the historic decision to ditch their traditional black facepaint.

Ledbury-based Silurian Morris will sport green facepaint for the first time on their Boxing Day tour in Ledbury, Bosbury, Malvern and Hanley Castle.

Traditionally, it is thought black soot was worn by dancers as a disguise so they could beg without getting in trouble with the law.

However, the side decided to switch to green facepaint following a majority vote amid growing controversy that the practice is 'blackface'.

Silurian foreman Ian Craigan said: "There has been some controversy for a long time.

"We need to be on the right side of things.

Readers have been sharing their opinions on the decision.

Reader Crisscross said: "Things evolve, as they should. People who don't like change, don't like progress. We can't stay stuck in the 1900s."

Chaltis wrote: "There's always a tension between respecting the past, and looking to the future.

"Those who look back find comfort in tradition, and fight for it's preservation even when it has downsides.

"Those who look forward seek to improve the present, and society reaches a tipping point when the majority opinion shifts.

"There's no doubt that blackface offends black and minority ethnic people who have powerful memories, and experience, of racism, prejudice and even slavery.

"It does no harm to stop its use and anyone with a social conscience will support the change."

Anteluvian felt it is tough on some of the few remaining blacked up Morris teams.

"They are being called racist when clearly there is not even a hint of racism in the historic reasons why they are blacked up.

"But time and perceptions move on.

"The debate won't go away so they have done the right thing.

"But it makes precisely no difference to the cause of black people.

"A society more at ease with itself would have been able to allow the blacked up tradition for what it historically is, without seeing it as detrimental or an affront to black people."

Dave Dave write: "Personally I think the Morris teams should be quite proud of this move and will be an interesting part of the tradition/history going forward."