Morris dancers have celebrated the ancient pagan custom of wassailing by donning black make-up and leading a procession through in a bid to prepare orchards for the New Year.
The tradition through the villages of Much Marcle and Dilwyn in Herefordshire involves people pouring cider over tree roots, singing songs, making loud noises and making toasts.
It has been performed with black make-up since the origins of the dancing tradition in the 16th century.
One theory is that it started when impoverished farm workers had to conceal their faces in a bid to avoid being recognised while begging during winter as asking for money was illegal.
It is hoped that the procession will bless trees with a good crop and frighten away any evil spirits who could blight the annual harvest.
The ceremony involves placing a cider-soaked piece of Christmas cake on the branches of an apple tree and sprinkling cider around its roots while dancing and singing the Wassail Song.
The bizarre pagan ceremony has been performed with black make-up since its origins in the 16th century
![The tradition involves people pouring cider over tree roots, singing songs, making loud noises and making toasts](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/15/47D838AC00000578-0-image-a-62_1515340679973.jpg)
The tradition involves people pouring cider over tree roots, singing songs, making loud noises and making toasts
![A major part of the ceremony is carrying lit torches through the streets - before all the participants join together to ward off any evil spirits who may be lurking near the apple orchard threatening cider output](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/15/47D87D8700000578-0-image-a-72_1515340773079.jpg)
A major part of the ceremony is carrying lit torches through the streets – before all the participants join together to ward off any evil spirits who may be lurking near the apple orchard threatening cider output
![During the wassailing procession, morris dancers don black make-up and lead a procession through the villages of Dilwyn and Much Marcle in Herefordshire](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/15/47D8367700000578-0-image-a-71_1515340745976.jpg)
During the wassailing procession, morris dancers don black make-up and lead a procession through the villages of Dilwyn and Much Marcle in Herefordshire
![It is hoped that the procession will bless trees with a good crop and frighten away any evil spirits who could blight the annual harvest](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/15/47D87D9B00000578-0-image-a-60_1515340667495.jpg)
It is hoped that the procession will bless trees with a good crop and frighten away any evil spirits who could blight the annual harvest
![One theory on why the ceremony is performed in black make-up is that 16th century farm workers had to conceal their faces in a bid to avoid being recognised while begging during winter as asking for money was illegal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/16/47D8525000000578-0-image-a-77_1515340851681.jpg)
![One theory on why the ceremony is performed in black make-up is that 16th century farm workers had to conceal their faces in a bid to avoid being recognised while begging during winter as asking for money was illegal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/16/47D83C9300000578-0-image-m-76_1515340826398.jpg)
One theory on why the ceremony is performed in black make-up is that 16th century farm workers had to conceal their faces in a bid to avoid being recognised while begging during winter as asking for money was illegal
![The ceremony involves placing a cider-soaked piece of Christmas cake on the branches of an apple tree and sprinkling cider around its roots while dancing and singing the Wassail Song](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/15/47D87DAF00000578-0-image-a-53_1515340632618.jpg)
The ceremony involves placing a cider-soaked piece of Christmas cake on the branches of an apple tree and sprinkling cider around its roots while dancing and singing the Wassail Song
![While some people choose to turn up in modern clothing, this man has opted for traditional black make-up and a head-dress made of foliage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/16/47D83B8B00000578-0-image-a-81_1515340872782.jpg)
While some people choose to turn up in modern clothing, this man has opted for traditional black make-up and a head-dress made of foliage
![The cider-loving participants came out in full force and were taking no risks when it came to protecting the apple harvest](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/15/47D87D8300000578-0-image-a-51_1515340626023.jpg)
The cider-loving participants came out in full force and were taking no risks when it came to protecting the apple harvest
![Other outfits are more elaborate, with this attendee wearing a suit and bow tie while carrying a canister to help light his flame](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/16/47D87D7300000578-0-image-a-86_1515340909441.jpg)
Other outfits are more elaborate, with this attendee wearing a suit and bow tie while carrying a canister to help light his flame
![The tradition, which has been running for hundreds of years, creates a major spectacle of light every year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/15/47D82BF500000578-0-image-a-58_1515340655971.jpg)
The tradition, which has been running for hundreds of years, creates a major spectacle of light every year
![Some of the clothing worn by those taking part is extremely elaborate and designed from intricately-patterned fabrics](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/15/47D8572A00000578-0-image-a-68_1515340736902.jpg)
Some of the clothing worn by those taking part is extremely elaborate and designed from intricately-patterned fabrics
![It is not only cider-drinking adults who take part annually - with some locals bringing along their children for the pagan fun](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/16/47D8328D00000578-0-image-a-78_1515340862316.jpg)
It is not only cider-drinking adults who take part annually – with some locals bringing along their children for the pagan fun
![Each year the parade attracts dozens of revellers who come from across Herefordshire and further afield. Pictured is the event in Dilwyn](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/16/47D86FEC00000578-0-image-a-82_1515340887201.jpg)
Each year the parade attracts dozens of revellers who come from across Herefordshire and further afield. Pictured is the event in Dilwyn
![The elaborate outfits help the members of the procession to cope with the chilly winter temperatures as they herald in the New Year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/07/16/47D8574500000578-0-image-a-84_1515340892097.jpg)
The elaborate outfits help the members of the procession to cope with the chilly winter temperatures as they herald in the New Year