IT dates back to the Middle Ages, but the traditional Bawming of the Thorn ceremony was brought up to date on Saturday.

While the centrepiece of the summer festival remains the traditional singing of the bawming song and dancing round the thorn tree in the centre of Appleton Thorn, there was plenty more besides.

And to coincide with the World Cup, youngsters from the village primary school dressed in outfits from competing countries.

From France to Japan and England to Mexico, all kinds of costume were on display.

Following the procession, the formal bawming ceremony was opened by Colin Parry.

He told the assembled crowds that days such as this showed how important family life was in society.

He said: "Children need to grow healthily and we need to plant the right message, and this includes the message of peace and reconciliation."

The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages when a returning knight from the Crusades brought a cutting of the thorn bush from Glastonbury.

The hawthorn tree in Glastonbury is said to have been planted by Joseph of Arimathea.

The tree is decorated and pupils from years five and six at the primary school, then dance around the tree.

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