COMEDY legend, popular historian and film director Terry Jones will be flying into York next month - but he has left the circus at home.

The former Monty Python man will be in the city for a special screening of his film Erik The Viking, which is being shown as part of the Jorvik Centre's Viking Festival.

The festival kicks off on Wednesday, February 14, with archaeological digs, performances, walks, film screenings and other Viking-themed events taking place around the city.

Erik The Viking will be showing at City Screen, in Coney Street, on Friday, February 16, at 9pm.

The Press caught up with Mr Jones, who filled us in on the history behind the film.

"It originally came out about 16 years. But the production company approached me about releasing a new DVD," he said.

"They said they'd pay for a re-edit, so I got my son, Bill, to work on it.

"I've always been unhappy with the edit - it seemed too long. So, we've cut it down from about 100 minutes to 74 minutes.

"We re-jigged some of the scenes in different orders and got more sound on it. It's made quite a difference.

"The story is based on a children's book that I wrote for Bill when he was five, called the Saga Of Erik The Viking - so it's gone full circle really with him re-editing it.

"It's a series of short stories about a Viking called Erik, who's a bit disillusioned with the Vikings raping and pillaging everywhere.

"So Erik tries to end the age Ragnarok - the age of battles - by awakening the gods."

Mr Jones often appeared as a middle-aged housewife or eponymous bowler-hatted man in the street in Monty Python.

However, his most memorable role was Mr Creosote, the disgustingly rotund compulsive eater in the Meaning Of Life.

Mr Jones said he was looking forward to coming to York, but said he probably would not be dressing up as a Viking - as the Jorvik Centre has suggested other filmgoers do.

VIP tickets, including Viking beer and food are available for £12, with festivities kicking off at 8.15pm.

Standard tickets, costing £8 for adult and £6.50 for concessions are also available, with an opportunity to meet a genuine Viking on the red carpet at 8.45pm. Places are limited, so phone 0870 7583219 for your ticket.