TWO special eras in York's history came face-to-face to kick off a weekend of celebrations.

Viking youngsters from York schools donned swords and shields and struck fear into the hearts of city residents in a fearsome march.

The Lord Mayor of York, Coun David Horton, joined children from Dringhouses Primary, Yearsley Grove Primary, Acomb Primary and St Lawrence's to trek through the city streets.

But the group also showed a softer side when performing a Viking Love Saga to open this year's Jorvik Viking Festival, yesterday.

There will be a host of highlights of this year's festival including a longship race on the Ouse and a celebrity lecture with TV Time Team's Mick Aston.

Meanwhile, a whole legion has been drafted in to help persuade thousands of visitors to travel by rail and go "Roman" in York.

Arriva Trains Northern brought a full-sized Roman soldier and 30 half-size "helpers" to give a little extra help to the campaign to attract tourists by train.

The leaflet the "legionnaires" dispensed was not for a Roman holiday, but rather detailed the "First Stop York by Train" offer, which gives half-price admission to a host of major attractions for people who travel to the city by rail. Commercial director Dyan Crowther said: "History is on our side in promoting York and over the years the annual campaign has attracted many thousands of visitors.

"This time we are going a step further in the school half-term and Easter holidays to attract even more people to the city by rail. It all goes to boost the local economy by bringing visitors, without an invasion of cars into the city."

Before the 'soldiers' set off for their postings, the small-scale cardboard centurions were lined up at York Railway Station. Train travellers coming to York any time between now and April 30 will able to enjoy half-price entry at top attractions ranging from Jorvik to the Castle Museum. They can take advantage of the deal - which includes discounts on places to eat and to stay - by picking up a leaflet from any staffed train station in the region or on arrival in York.

Updated: 10:37 Saturday, February 15, 2003