RESIDENTS are being urged to raid their cupboards and loot their lofts for Viking themed possessions to star in a major new exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum.

Viking: Rediscover the Legend, will open in May at the museum in York, bringing together the best Viking finds from its collection and those of the British Museum.

"As part of how the Vikings have been portrayed in the last 60 years, the curators would like to include Viking themed objects and possessions and to hear stories from the people of Yorkshire, for possible inclusion in the exhibition," said a spokesman.

People can come to the museum and meet the curators with their finds between 11am and 3pm on Thursday February 23, as one of a range of Viking themed activities taking place there throughout the half term holiday.

Natalie Buy, curator of archaeology, said: "We would like to collect and showcase some of the Viking memorabilia and the stories behind them to help us understand how our current views on Vikings have been shaped and what Vikings mean to you.

"This could be anything from Viking helmets with horns on to toys, clothing to collectables."