Cut and thrust of Viking festival

2:39pm Tuesday 12th February 2008

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THESE historic warriors were on the warpath on York's bar walls in full battle regalia to herald the start of the city's Jorvik Viking Festival.

Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on York for the 23rd annual festival, which will be launched by TV presenter and historian Dan Snow tomorrow.

The five-day celebration of York's Viking heritage will see more than 100 events taking place across the city.

It will kick off at 11am in Coppergate Square, York, where Vikings will demonstrate their replica boat and ancient crafts and tell tales of their journeys.

Anybody wanting to know about Viking weaponry and cooking should head to the Guildhall, in Coney Street, between 11am and 4pm.

In Barley Hall, off Stonegate, there will be a Viking market, and children can be kept busy with Viking activities at St Saviour's Church, in St Saviourgate, Meanwhile, a Viking Snickleways walk will set off from the Museum Gardens gates at 2.15pm and another walk exploring the Fulford battlefields will leave the playing fields opposite Fulford cemetery at 2.30pm.

In the evening, York's City Screen is putting on a special screening of the horror film The Wicker Man, starting at 6.30pm.

Also at 6.30pm, battle enthusiasts can meet Mr Snow at the Yorkshire Museum to learn about 11th century battlefields.

The first day of festivities will finish with a Viking ghost tour of York, setting off from the King's Arms pub, by Ousegate Bridge, at 8pm.