Morris team find no room at the inn

Huddersfield-based Slubbing Billys Morris dance team just wanted a quiet pint after performing on a hot day and said they were astonished when staff at the Durham hostelry turfed them out.

The ban on any music being played in pubs owned by the Samuel Smith’s brewery meant Durham’s Swan and Three Cygnets was a no-go area for the dance troupe – at least those with bells on their clogs – who spent the weekend performing in the city’s Market Place with two other troupes.

Slubbing Billy member Duggs Carre, said: “One of our group, wearing his morris dance gear, went in first and was served a pint of beer without question. But when two of our lady members followed wearing bells they were told to get out.”