VIKINGS are set to moor up in Selby for the first time in a thousand years.

As part of a new art project in the town, a sculpture entitled Sailing Through Time, will highlight Selby's maritime past and offer new seating outside the Town Hall.

Commissioned by Selby Town Council, local artist Ollie Holman has worked with Barwic Parade and Longman's Hill Primary Schools to create the first phase of the sculpture, which will be the skeletal remains of a Viking longboat.

The second phase will be an interpretation of the stern of a ship similar to the hundreds built and launched in Selby since the mid-19th Century, which will also include input from former Cochrane's workers.

Town Councillor Steve Shaw Wright said he "wanted the council to develop its cultural activities further".

He said: "The Town Council operates an award winning arts centre, and I believe we should work on that success and extend what the council does.

"Selby has a long and proud maritime history, but no real visible recognition of this. I came up with the concept of the Sailing Through Time sculpture. We were fortunate to be able to work with Ollie, Chris, local schools and former employees of Cochranes to bring this project to reality."

Ollie Holman said the work with schoolchildren in June had been a great opportunity, and he was pleased to be taking part.

He said: "I feel honoured to be able to work on the project and have gained experience which will encourage me to work on projects of this scale in future.

"Looking into Selby’s history, working with a local historian, gave me the inspiration for my original artist impressions for phase one, the Viking Longboat sculpture, and phase two, the Cochrane’s Ship sculpture.

"I have learnt so much from working on the project and now I cannot wait to see the sculptures come to life in the Town Hall gardens."

Chris Campbell is fabricating the designs, and said: "As artists and fabricators we welcome the opportunity to help deliver the project designed by Ollie who is local to the area. The new seating area will be a positive addition to the garden area and bring to the town a sense of place and history."'

Groundwork is due to start this week.