PEOPLE were dancing in the streets again as Mayfest returned to Winchester after a four-year absence.

The city’s High Street and Cathedral Close came alive with the colours and sounds of a diverse array of folk dancing.

Around 25 teams, known as sides, danced in the different Morris traditions, as well as Appalachian dancers who entertained the crowds in St Maurice’s Covert.

Event organiser Cathie Knell said she was thrilled to bring the event back to the city.

“It was a wonderful day,” she told the Chronicle.

“There were smiling faces everywhere you looked. Children and adults were grinning from ear to ear.”

It is the first time the event has taken place in the city since 2012 and despite being scaled down this year, Cathie was delighted by the turn out.

She added: “There were Morris dancers on every corner of the High Street. Loads of people were getting involved and it was fantastic to see.”

Ms Knell said the highlight of the day was the mayor’s dance, where a number of the sides performed for the city’s first citizen, Cllr Angela Clear.

As well as dancing, Saturday’s free event had market stalls in the cathedral grounds and The Square selling a variety of items, including fairy outfits and jewellery.

Southampton Folk Orchestra, Bella Voce youth choir and Barton Stacey Community Choir entertained crowds in St Lawrence Church.

Cygnets Playgroup in Barton Stacey also put on a Maypole display in the cathedral’s grounds.

To finish the day, members of Winchester Musicals and Operatic Society performed excerpts from their forthcoming musical A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Ms Knell also confirmed that Mayfest would return to Winchester in 2017.

The festival is scheduled to take place on May 20 next year.