More than 70 dancers will perform at the Ashburton Highland and National Dancing competition. Photo: File image

More than 70 dancers of varying ages from across the South Island will take to the stage in Ashburton this weekend.

The annual Ashburton Highland and National Dancing competition has been running for nearly 90 years.

The one-day event will be held at the Ashburton Event Centre on Saturday from 9am.

Among the competition events will be Highland Flings, sword dancers, the Sean Truibhas, Highland Reel and Reel of Tulloch, Irish Jig, Irish and Sailors Hornpipe and Irish Reel.

The free event is open to the public.

Many dancers use the competition as preparation for the New Zealand Championships in Blenheim from July 9 to 13.