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And by bold, they really do mean bold. The Billorettes’ usual uniform is an unmissable mix of orange and white, but that, as troupe leader Bill Weston told BBC Radio Manchester, is the whole point.

"The idea of the orange and white is that you’re so distinctive, people will see you from a distance. We look like corkers because then people will come along and enjoy themselves, and that’s what it’s all about – enjoyment."

The Billorettes' uniform in all its glory

Bill and his majorettes have been entertaining the crowds for many years. It all started when the idea struck Bill to take on the girls at their own game.

"We’re talking 34 years ago when the idea came about. I was watching a carnival and watching the girls marching along, slapping their thighs and looking completely bored out of their minds.

"I turned to a man in the crowd and said I could do better than that. He said that people like me always said things like that but never did anything about it.

"A year later, I proved him wrong and did it. I got a couple of guys along, we were dressed as bunny girls, and we proved that guys could do the same thing as the girls.

"Over the years, 365 guys have been in and out of the Billorettes, and we have about 20 on the call list now.”

The Billorettes turn out to add their special brand of entertainment at over 50 events a year now, but as fun as it is, Bill says there is a slightly serious side.

"We do marching displays to up-tempo music, with plenty of knees and arms and smiles, so it’s fun, but it’s all for charity. We’ve raised hundreds of thousands of pounds."

It’s hardly surprising. If you saw a 50 year old fella bearing down on you in a majorette’s costume, you’d probably be inclined to hand over some cash if only to make him go away!