The Lord of all Norse gods is descending on York in the new year - welcoming his marauding warriors into the Halls of Valhalla!

Odin awaits his faithful troops in Valhalla, the mythical Viking hall for warriors who died in battle

But don't worry, you can come out from behind the sofa. For this dramatic sounding stuff will all go towards making the 15th Jorvik Viking Festival the biggest ever.

And Odin the chief Viking god will be here to welcome in the new Millennium with a bang - or perhaps the eerie wail of a Norseman's horn.

York's world-renowned links with Vikings has mainly focused on straight history until now.

But February's festival - supported by the Evening Press and First Stop York - will place centuries of mythology before an amazed public.

Odin will be the undisputed star of the show, leading his faithful troops in the fabled Hall of Valhalla for a new street carnival, complete with a sound-and-light show.

Revellers will enjoy street entertainment and a five-scene saga tableau as part of the grand three-day spectacular known as the Jolablot - the name for the Viking celebration of the coming spring.

Jay Commins, of event organiser the Jorvik Viking Centre, said: "We have never had any of the Norse gods involved before. It's always been the story of Eric Bloodaxe, the Viking king of York in the 10th Century.

"The street carnival on the last day of the festival will take things one step further by concentrating on Viking mythology. It will be something different.

"Odin is new to the festival and he will be welcoming his warriors to Valhalla. When a Viking warrior dies in battle he goes to the Halls of Valhalla to feast with Odin."

Apart from the grand Viking finale, at Parliament Square on February 26, there will also be a battle between the Vikings and Saxons in Museum Gardens and a Viking boat parade and regatta starting at King's Staith.

A full brochure of events will soon be available, but for now finer details can be obtained by ringing the Jorvik Viking Centre on 01904 643211.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.