A SMALL South Lakes village came together on a clear autumn afternoon to celebrate an ancient tradition which has played a huge role in a community's history for more than 100 years.

Scores of people paraded through Urswick as part of the rushbearing festival, which has taken place every year on the closest Sunday to Michaelmas since 1905.

The historic celebration commemorates the changing of the rushes on the floor of St Mary and St Michael's Church which saw villagers replace worn out rushes with fresh ones.

Generations of families have been involved with the traditions for decades and this year was a memorable one in particular for the Ritchie family as 12-year-old Milly became the third female from the same family to serve as the rushbearing queen.

She followed in the footsteps of her grandmother Christine Swarbrick, who took on the role in 1958, and her mother Jo Ritchie, who was queen of the village in 1982.

Mrs Ritchie said: "It was lovely to see and I felt quite emotional when I saw her in her dress. I had a tear in my eye. I was desperate for her to do it because of that family connection."

As part of the celebrations, scores of people led by Dalton Town Band paraded through Little Urswick passing the Derby Arms and Low Furness CE Primary School before returning to the church, where a service was conducted by the Reverend Alan Barrett.

READ MORE: The next generation keeping a 100-year-old Urswick tradition alive and well

Ancient tradition celebrated in Urswick

With the village keen to ensure that the younger generations are aware of the importance of rushbearing, Nicola Troughton, a teacher at Low Furness, was appointed as the organiser of this year's event.

The 43-year-old has been involved in the village's festivities since she was 10 and is keen to pass on the baton to children to ensure that rushbearing celebrations continue long into the village's future.

She said: "The event has always had a close link with the school and I've always told the children how important it is and what it means to the village.

"It would be so sad if it were to stop and that's why they've handed over control to the school because we can ensure that the future generations are interested in keeping this tradition alive."

Inez Rixom, 71, who sang on the day as part of the church choir, echoed Mrs Troughton's thoughts.

She said: "This is a massive part of our history and it's important to keep it going.

"It's great that the school have taken over the organising of it because its pupils are the future of this event."

READ MORE: Urswick Rushbearing 2015

Urswick Rushbearing 2009

Keeping up traditions