THE line-up for next's year's JORVIK Viking Festival has been announced, and will see the city continue the story of the Viking apocalypse Ragnarok.

The 2014 festival focused on the Viking myths and legends about the end of the world, but according to Norse tales the survivors then head back to the beginning of time.

Festival director Danielle Daglan said: “According to Norse mythology, time and the universe is cyclical, so even though we celebrated the end of the world with our Ragnarok theme last year, the whole cycle of life starts again for this year’s Festival with the two survivors of the apocalypse - Lif and Lifthrasir.

"Our storyline will take them right back to the origins of Norse mythology to revisit the oldest legends – including the first ever battle of the Norse gods.”

She added: “Our 2014 festival brought more visitors to York than ever before, so we are working hard to create an engaging theme for 2015 that will bring them back to the city."

The week-long programme begins on Valentine's Day with a Viking wedding feast in the Merchant Taylor's Hall, and ends with a dramatic grand finale on the Eye of York.

Keeping the "Brave New World" theme, the event will restore the mythical timeline to the origins of Norse legend, when the spirits are awakened and the worlds are created, culminating with the first ever battle that changed Norse culture forever.

Other events include a battle between fire and ice giants in the Guildhall, a retelling of the rise of Odin as the greatest god of all, and the annual search for Jorvik’s strongest Viking, this year guest-judged by the city’s Mr Universe Stuart Garrington.

There will also be literary events, a folk festival at the Barley Hall, family programmes, and talks from experts in Viking archaeology.

The full festival programme and ticket sales are online at www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk