A dozen morrismen climbed an ancient pagan landmark in Sussex to dance in the first day of summer today.

They made their annual pilgrimage despite wind and rain to usher in the first day of the season, in line with great English tradition.

In the hills above West Sussex, they practised their age-old custom to welcome May 1.

Armed with sticks and bells, the morrismen hiked up to Chanctonbury Ring, near Steyning, at 6am to perform their dances.

The annual event was organised by the Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Leading the troop was retired civil servant squire Paul Setford, 61, of Goring Road, Worthing.

He said: "Despite the wind and the rain, we still made it up there. Although May 1 is the first day of summer we are used to the bad weather. We don't expect anything else."

The sun shone down on the group for a few brief minutes, giving them just enough time to complete their dancing.

Mr Setford said: "As soon as we began dancing, the sun broke through and a beautiful ray of light lit up the nearby fields. It was superb and made it all worthwhile."

Traditionally, morrismen dance around maypoles on May 1, or May Day, but today few of the decorative poles remain.