NINE heroes and a skeleton will take up residence at the Jorvik Viking Centre to give visitors an insight into the great deeds and battles of the past.

Legendary warrior and campaigner Eric Bloodaxe, warrior woman Lathgerda, warrior man Sweyn Forkbeard, adventurer Harald Hardrada, explorer Leif the Lucky and King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark are among nine big names from Viking and pre-Norman English history who will be among the star attractions of the centre’s Heroes exhibition.

They will answer questions from visitors and talk to them in between taking over its Twitter feed.

The exhibition will also include items to illustrate the lifestyle of a Viking hero, including a skeleton unearthed at Fishergate which may belong to a warrior killed at the Battle of Fulford in 1066 and several tenth century stones that may have covered a grave of a fallen hero or rich patron.

It is the product of partnerships between the York centre, the Jelling Stones Heritage Centre in Denmark, Manx National heritage and Yorkshire Museums Trust and runs until November.

Sarah Maltby, director of Attractions for York Archaeological Trust, said the exhibition aimed to help visitors explore the idea of what makes a hero from a Viking perspective.

She said: “The characters themselves have all been brought to life by re-enactors, who will be available at the exhibition and at Jorvik Viking Centre throughout the summer to talk to visitors and answer questions about the Viking age.

“Summer is the season of the superhero, so this year our summer exhibition will bring nine Viking heroes to life and draw on historical and archaeological evidence to help us explore the idea of heroism in the Viking age.”

The exhibition opens on Saturday and runs until November 3.