Flora Day is an important date on the calendar for most Helston families but none more so than those of this year’s Midday Dance leaders – and one in particular.

All eyes will be on Robert Eddy, Paula Butler, Ben Blaber and Sarah Sneddon when they lead the couples in this year’s Ancient Furry Dance through the town in front of thousands of spectators.

Robert and Paula will be first out of the Guildhall at the stroke of noon on Saturday, May 6, followed by Ben and Sarah. The couples will then swap positions at Lismore Gardens, so that both have a chance to lead.

Ben, however, is in the unusual position that his mum will actually be walking immediately in front of him - as mayor.

His mother is Gillian Geer, who will be escorting the dancers behind Helston Town Band for the first time – making it a particularly special day for both of them.

Ben, whose father Paul Blaber is also well known in the town for being chairman of Helston Theatre Company, said: “It’s my equivalent of being picked for the England team in football. It’s only certain people that can do it and I feel very honoured and privileged.”

Ben, who works as a driver for the Cornwall Air Ambulance charity shops, originally went to Parc Eglos Primary School but then moved to St Keverne aged eight, so missed out on taking part in the Children’s Dance. Despite this the 30-year-old has never missed a Flora Day and began his dancing career in the Midday with his mum aged 18, followed by the 7am and 5pm and back to the Midday.

His excited family includes wife Vicky and their daughters Millie, four and 12-week-old Beatrix, who will see her father lead on her very first Flora Day.

Ben won’t have too much time to get nervous as in the run up he will be production manager for the production of Rent being performed at the end of April by Helston Theatre Company, for which he is vice chairman.

He will be partnered by Sarah Sneddon, whose association with the day goes back to watching as a child from James’ fish shop at 44 Meneage Street, owned by her aunt.

Sarah, 47, has never missed a Flora Day and said: “I never thought I would get to lead – I’m absolutely delighted. It’s a great honour to participate but to actually lead is something else.”

After leading St Michael’s Primary School in the Children’s Dance, Sarah went on to take part in the Hal-an-Tow, the Early Morning and Evening dances – for which she is now a committee steward - and latterly the Midday.

Sarah, a mobile hairdresser who also works part time in Sainsbury’s, is following in the footsteps of her brother Nigel Kimpton, who led in 1995.

One half of the other lead couple is Robert Eddy, the son of the late Donald Eddy and his wife Pauline – the only person he told apart from his wife Jemima, despite joking about being unsure if his mum could keep it a secret.

“She seems to have managed it,” he laughed, adding: “She’s over the moon – as am I.”

Robert, a self-employed painter and decorator, said his first reaction to receiving the invite was one of shock.

“I wasn’t expecting it, not at all. I was working and my wife opened my post. She rang me up and said, ‘Are you sitting down?’ I’m nervous, but it’s exciting as well,” he said.

Robert, 43, went to Nansloe Primary School and then Helston School, and now lives in Wendron Street with Jemima and their three children.

Completing the foursome is Paula Butler (nee Williams), who said she was “stunned” at first and was now “very, very excited.”

The 47-year-old, who danced with Parc Eglos and has also taken part in the Hal-an-Tow and the Early Morning and Evening dances, said: “It’s just such a community day. The people of Helston keep the tradition going and it’s fantastic.”

Paula, a nurse in the pre-assessment clinic at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and St Michael’s in Hayle, grew up watching from her gran’s house in Cross Street and added: “You never think you’ll get to lead, although you always hope.”