MAY Day celebrations get off to a colourful start when the centuries old tradition of Maypole Dancing kicks up its heels at the Black Country Living Museum on Monday (May 4).

Visitors are encouraged to join in the fun as children relive the traditions of earlier times.

Many of the museum's older visitors will remember dancing around a Maypole in a school yard or even the May Day fairs which were once a feature in the Black Country.

Visitors will also be able to see the Newcomen engine in full steam, play a series of traditional street games and watch a Punch and Judy Show.

Those with musical souls can sing along to the pianist in the Bottle & Glass Inn and meet and greet a host of characters, including the town crier.