THE annual Jorvik Viking Festival swung into action with a skirmish in York city centre.
Viking characters wearing battle attire took over Coppergate to help
start the popular festival, which is expected to attract 40,000 people.
This year marks the 27th festival and will feature more than 80 events
culminating in a ferocious battle before the Festival Of Fire climax
featuring fire jugglers, a firework display and the
burning of a 60ft-longship on Bustardthorpe Field at York Racecourse
on Saturday.