It is often considered the favourite dance of Helstonians on Flora Day - and the leading set of this year’s Early Morning Dance would certainly agree.

It will be their job to begin the day’s dancing at 7am on May 8, as well as end it come 5pm when they reprise their roles for the Evening Dance.

Leading man this year is father-of-two Ronnie Williams. A director of Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management, based in its Helston office, he is the son of town councillor Ronnie Williams senior and said his family of Helstonians were all “exceptionally proud.”

He said he was also “excited and proud” to be asked to lead, but added: “My wife will be the real hero of the day looking after two young children whilst I am dancing around the town.”

A former pupil of St Michael’s School, he led the Children’s Dance in his final year there, before attending Helston School.

He is well known in local cricketing circles, having played for Helston for many years.

Ronnie will be partnered with Laura Frew (nee Dodd), who said it had been a long-held dream to lead the dance.

She will be doing this just five months after giving birth to her third child - something which Laura said made her “very nervous,” although she has no need to worry; she was in the same situation when she was second lead lady back in 2014, only six months after having her second child.

Laura, who is currently on maternity leave from Tesco and before that worked at Helston Spar, said: “I absolutely love Flora Day and the atmosphere. I’m honoured to be leading lady.”

She danced all the way through St Michael’s and Helston School before moving on to the Early Morning and Evening Dances, which she has only ever missed three times when she was pregnant.

Second lead couple will be Tom Mitchell and Amy Williams, who has plenty of family to turn to for advice on the honour. Her sister Margaret, mother Julia, uncle Kevin Thomas and grandfather Clifford Thomas have all led dances in the past.

Amy, who works for Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “I felt so excited when I received my invitation to be the second lady. When I am dancing, one of my favourite moments is seeing my papa in the crowd for the first time and seeing his face light up as he watches me dance.

“Flora Day means so much to me and my family – it’s our favourite day of the year and hearing that first drum beat is just magical. I can’t wait to be a part of it again this year.”

Amy attended Parc Eglos Primary School, then Helston Community College and has danced every year since she was seven years old.

She and Tom danced in the same set of four throughout their time at school and continued together into the Early Morning and Evening.

Tom’s sister Rosie and cousin Louise Christophers have both played with the band on Flora Day, while his granddad Baden Christophers, has been a steward for many years.