THE world's biggest festival of sword dancing is coming to York later this month, with hundreds of dancers expected to arrive in the city.

The International Sword Spectacular Festival will be a display of the English longsword and rapper sword dancing, sword dance styles from mainland Europe, and North American evolutions of UK traditions.

The festival will open on Saturday, May 24, when the dancers and musicians will parade through the city centre, after which free street performances will take place throughout the day.

Organisers of the event are expecting that more than 700 dancers will be showcasing their skills during the festival.

More than 30 groups from the UK will be participating in the event, as well as groups from Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Austria and the USA.

The performances will also take place on the Sunday afternoon, ahead of a gala performance by all the teams at the York Theatre Royal.

There will be a small number of tickets available to the public for that performance.

Organising committee member Vince Rutland said: "It's a unique event because nowhere else can so many sword dancers gather together and share their dancing.

"What that promises for people on the streets is a great weekend and plenty of unusual and exciting dancing to keep everyone well entertained, spectators and performers alike. We firmly believe in taking the festival to the people and, with most of the dancing being free performances on the city's streets, the atmosphere should be amazing.

"Most people don't realise sword dancing is a very English tradition - and a Yorkshire one to boot.

"Mention sword dancing to them and they think Scotland and kilts, but this is very different.

"There used to be several teams in the York area and the dances from Poppleton, Haxby, Escrick and Askham Richard are all recorded in detail.

"Wouldn't it be great if we could spark a revival?"

As part of the festival, there will be lectures on historical and academic aspects of sword dancing, as well as tuition in sword dancing.

On the bank holiday Monday, the festival will conclude with dancing at lunchtime in Haxby and Wigginton, where there will be demonstrations of the original dances from the York area.

Any members of the public who want to learn the dance can go along to Haxby Memorial Hall at 2.30pm on Monday, May 26, when they can take part in a free workshop.