MORRIS dancers were up bright and early today to see the sun rise on May Day morning at Painswick Beacon.

Members of Gloucestershire Morris Men, Gloucestershire Mixed Morris, Stroud Morris dancers and Boss Morris gathered to sing and dance as the sun broke over the horizon at 5.40am, marking the start of summer.

Morris dancers across the country celebrated the start of May today and the beginning of the dancing season, in a tradition dating back many years.

Photos by Simon Pizzey.