THE ladies of the Cogs and Wheels Morris dancing group are limbering up for a special and unusual bank holiday weekend early with a dance at the Seven Stars in South Tawton at 7.45pm tonight (Thursday).

The group will be collecting for the cancer charity Force, an organisation close to the hearts of several members of the group.

The charity not only provides a welcoming centre for support, counselling, complementary therapies and practical advice for patients and their families, but also funds cancer research and provides additional equipment to oncology departments.

The dance is also in preparation for the group's 'Westward Hey!' event taking place over the bank holiday weekend at the end of May. Group members intend to walk 24 miles from their home village of Sticklepath, crossing the border into Cornwall, and heading for Launceston.

The route will take them across the northern edge of Dartmoor, via Okehampton and the Granite Way path.

Crossing Polson Bridge, the team will be welcomed by Cat's Eyes, a Cornish morris troupe, with the last leg of their journey taking them up to Launceston Castle to be met by more dancers for one final stand, including the Heather and Gorse, Exmoor Border and Tinner's Morris groups.

For further details on the dance at the Seven Stars or the 'Westward Hey!' walk, call Alexa on 01647 277498.