AN ANGLO-SAXON helmet, a Viking arm ring and a Second World War Halifax Bomber are just some of the artefacts that tell the story of North Yorkshire’s history, according to a new project.

Ten items of varying shapes and sizes have been selected to outline the history of the county as part of a national project entitled A History Of The World.

It was developed by the British Museum, 350 museums across the country and the BBC.

The items include a rare Egyptian mask of Anubis, and Russian Imperial Cufflinks, held at the Royal Pump Room Museum in Harrogate; and the sketch of the Resolution, in the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby, as well as the Halifax Bomber at the Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington, and six items in York.

Janet Barnes, chief executive of York Museums Trust, said: “Museums in North Yorkshire have fantastic collections from all over the globe and from every period in history.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people to discover more about our area and our place in the world through objects that are in the region’s museums." Six of the ten artefacts are on display at museums in York, including:

• A fifth century Anglo-Saxon helmet, the York Helmet.

• The 15th century Middleham Jewel, a pendant that was made by one of the finest medieval goldsmiths.

• Part of the tomb of Archbishop of York William Fitzherbert which was buried in about 1541 to protect it from King Henry VIII’s reformation.

• A Viking gold arm ring which was given to powerful lords to secure allegiance from their followers.

• A Rowntree tin of cocoa which was taken by Sir Ernest Shackleton during his failed attempt to reach the South Pole in 1909.

• The statue head of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, who was proclaimed emperor in 306AD while in York on a military campaign.

Visitors will be able to see the objects at museums across York where exhibitions will be held to celebrate during February half-term week.

A separate event will also feature at York Air Museum on February 19.

The ten objects were chosen by the Yorkshire Museum's Trust in conjunction with Radio York. To find out more log on to bbc.co.uk/york