THE mysterious Nine Maidens stone circle high above Belstone will once again be the site of a May 1 dawn dance by the Cogs and Wheels Ladies' Morris dancers.

The circle has several legends surrounding it — the most popular stating that the stones are the petrified remains of nine bold young girls who made the rash decision to dance on a Sunday.

They were said to be turned to stone for their heresy, and are condemned to dance briefly every noon throughout eternity.

Every year on May 1, the Morris dancing troupe climb up to the Nine Maidens to celebrate the ancient festival of Beltane by dancing around the flagpole and then dancing at the stone circle itself.

Even though May 1 falls on a Sunday this year, the ladies will ignore the potential risk of being turned to stone and dance at dawn.

The group invites anyone curious to see what happens along to the event at 5.30am, and hopes that no more stones are added to the existing nine!