YORK is bracing itself for another Viking invasion.

Excitement is building for the start next Friday of the Jorvik Viking Festival.

Thorgrim the Viking, pictured here, will be giving away replica King Cnut pennies, in part payment of admission to Yorkshire Museum.

They are typical of Viking coins which might have been found in the York area.

The Lord Mayor of York, Coun David Horton, will be joined by children from York schools who will start the festival on Valentine's Day by performing part of a Viking love saga.

Other highlights include the popular combat events, longship races on the River Ouse, living history events, and a celebrity lecture with Time Team's Mick Aston.

Full details of all festival events can be found on the JORVIK website www.vikingjorvik.com

Updated: 12:12 Friday, February 07, 2003