THE WEATHER may not have been very spring like but Callington's revived May celebrations certainly put a spring in the step of the community on Saturday as young and old danced through the streets.

Hundreds of people came out to join in the Furry Dance or spectate at the Mayfest, the first time since the 1970s that the town has held such a celebration with Maypole, Morris and Breton dancing in the town centre, a beer festival and live music.

Town Portreeve Denise Winfindale said she was delighted to see so many people in Callington: 'I think it was exceptional and exceeded all our expectations. The weather was much better than it had been and the rain held off.

'To see people of all ages dancing from the Saltash Road car park down into the town centre was a real spectacle and once all the dancing finished at 4pm some people went to the church for refreshments, some the town hall and others to the beer festival.

'The Bulls Head was full inside and outside for the beer festival, hog roast and live music. Mayfest created a brilliant atmosphere and hopefully it will be the first of many.'

The day concluded with an evening of traditional Cornish music and dance from the band Skillywidden in the town hall.

The procession was led by Callington Town Band and many people dressed up for the event. Choreographer Carmen Hunt ran workshops in Callington to prepare for Mayfest and Rosie Fierek composed The Callington Furry Dance music.

Rosie, who lives in the Tamar Valley, was seen playing several instruments with the Calstock Rubber Band and other assorted musicians throughout the day.

Other dance groups and bands involved on the day were the Wreckers Border Morris, Log'a Rythmes Breton dancers, Plymouth Morris Men, Plymouth Maid Clog Dancers, local band 'Out to Grass'.

Children from Callington, Harrowbarrow, Stoke Climsland, Delaware and Coads Green took part in the Maypole dancing.