BROWNIES leapt with enthusiasm to try out a traditional Oxfordshire pastime.

The youngsters from Blackbird Leys got to try their hand at morris dancing – with a little help from Oxford City and Oxford University morris men.

Members of the 1st Blackbird Leys Brownie pack were awarded with a badge for trying out the traditional pastime, which has its roots in Oxfordshire.

Mark Pollard, squire of Oxford City Morris Men, said: “I enjoyed it. Some of the girls were very enthusiastic and wanted to join in.

“Some of the dances we do were collected in Headington Quarry in 1899, and so are traditional in that area.”

Tim Funnell, bagman of Oxford University Morris Men, said: “We kind of did it just for fun, but we are always trying to get more people involved because morris dancing is dying out across the county.

“The girls seemed to really enjoy it.

“We’re used to dancing with big, burly men, so dancing opposite a seven-year-old girl was a bit different.”

Brownie leader Jennifer Pleass said: “The girls all seemed to enjoy it – there was lots of beaming smiles and laughing.”