PRINCE Charles has agreed to become patron of the Jorvik Viking Centre’s fundraising campaign, as the flood-hit attraction prepares to re-open this spring.

The Prince visited the archaeological dig in the Coppergate Centre back in the 1970s before returning to officially open the Viking Centre in 1984.

Now centre bosses are looking forward to showing him the results of the hard work carried out at the complex since it was inundated by floodwaters from the nearby River Foss in late December 2015.

“It is wonderful to have His Royal Highness on board as we continue our fundraising,” said Terry Suthers, chair of York Archaeological Trust which owns and operates the centre.

The fundraising campaign, dubbed Canute, has already raised more than £1 million, over two thirds of the way towards a £1.5 million target.

Other leading names who have agreed to act as ambassadors for the initiative include actor Brian Blessed, TV historian Dan Snow and Horrible Histories author Terry Deary.

The campaign aims to bridge the gap between the costs of restoring Jorvik to its pre-flood condition – the insurance settlement covered £2.83 million – and the anticipated cost of updating and re-imaging it with the latest research findings and technology.

There will be new animatronic models, a new sound system and completely redesigned artefact galleries, with any further funds raised going towards integrating educational and outreach projects to further spread knowledge and understanding of Viking heritage – a crucial part of the trust’s mission.

Visitors will also hear the voices of those who were involved in the Coppergate dig, such as Peter Addyman and Julian Richards, who will be relating their memories of the ground-breaking discoveries which changed what was then known about the city in Viking times.

The centre will re-open on April 8, just before the busy Easter holidays.