Let the sun shine: Green Man banishes winter - with pictures

The Clun Green Man Festival marks the end of winter in extravagant style, with morris dancing, folk music and a mummers' play.

It began yesterday and was continuing today with the traditional battle between the Green Man himself and the Ice Queen.

The fun got underway with morris dancing in the town's square on Sunday morning, and continued with live music from the Fidgets and Rich Evans.

The bells of the church will ring out today to mark the start of the second day of festivities. Today will see the famous battle on the town's bridge at noon, after which the Green Man will lead a procession back up the hill to the square and then on to Clun Memorial Hall for the craft fair.

The fair on the Festival Field will also include a beer tent, and toilets are available in the disabled car park by the bridge, inside the Memorial Hall, and on the playing field.

A spokeswoman said: “It’s perfect for all ages, so bring your children and grandchildren, grab a programme, brush up your clue-solving and explore the beautiful festival site."

Free entertainment throughout includes squire training, maypole dancing, 'zorbs' and archery. Programmes, which include details of the festival's events as well as general information about Clun, are available for 20p throughout the town.

Access to the events on the Castle Field will cost £5 for adults and £1 for accompanied children.

The identity of the Green Man is a closely guarded secret, but the current bearer of the mask has been battling the Ice Queen for the last 12 years.

Legend has it that sunshine won't come to Shropshire unless the Green Man wins the fight.