VIKING voyagers sailed into York today (Saturday) in preparation for the finale of Jolablot 2002.

Crews from Norway, Ireland, France and across the UK were welcomed to the city in time for the Longships River Challenge, which was due to start at noon from King's Staith.

The colourful regatta was expected to be followed by a Viking procession through the city and the bloody clash of weapons at the Eye of York.

The day's spectacular events were climaxing with a torchlit procession and a floodlit battle in the shadow of Clifford's Tower.

A group of York businessmen has also joined forces to build York's own Viking ship - to promote the city abroad and provide a valuable education tool for local children.

Jorvik in Viking Europe, due to be officially launched at the regatta, aims to raise an initial £50,000 from local sponsorship to build a 30ft ship, which would hopefully be moored at Naburn.

Project manager Paul Calvert, a York stained glass artist, was due to present a glass panel to the Viking Club of Norway to launch the project.

He said: "I made a promise to the Vikings in Bergen, in Norway, that by 2003 there would be a York Viking boat on the river."

Mike Hartley, manager of the riverside King's Arms pub, where the group came up with the idea, said: "I think it's a bit pathetic that all these people come across here every year and we haven't got a boat ourselves.

"It's something to be used to promote the city, to go to other regattas in other countries and it will be used for educational purposes."

Updated: 12:35 Saturday, February 16, 2002