VIKING warriors in longboats creaked down the River Ouse today to claim the City of York.

As part of the twentieth Jorvik Viking Festival, the Viking boats sailed in front of huge crowds on King's Staith before the Viking warriors marched from the Museum Gardens to the Eye of York.

The visitors from Norway, dressed in traditional Viking attire, said the annual longboat event was a festival highlight.

Viking traders sold Norwegian clothes and gave away samples of traditional Norwegian food.

This afternoon, crowds were due to watch the Battle of Stamford Bridge being fought out in the Eye of York, followed by a second battle this evening expected to feature special effects.

Updated: 13:06 Saturday, February 12, 2005