PREPARATIONS are well underway to mark a milestone anniversary of a famous battle which took place near York.

Viking and Saxon warriors will clash once again next month during re-enactments of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, 950 years after the conflict.

The 950th Anniversary Battle of Stamford Bridge Show will take place on September 24 and 25 in the village.

This will be the fifth public re-enactment show held by Battle of Stamford Bridge Heritage Society, and the first one since the death of the group’s co-founder Tom Wyles, who died in February this year.

Chris Rock, the group’s chairman and other co-founder, said: “It is going to be the biggest and best so far, with a packed weekend of battles, living history, craft and trade tents and activities.

“With up to 100 Viking and Saxon warriors re-enacting the battle over the bridge and a new, larger field right on the riverbank next to the viaduct, it will be the largest event in Stamford Bridge since the very first show in 1966 when over 10,000 people attended.”

Among the special guests attending the show will be Gunnar Sigurdsson, from Reykjavik, in Iceland. He can trace his ancestry back to King Harald Hardrada, the Viking king who died at Stamford Bridge in 1066. Gunnar will play the part of Harald during re-enactments.

On the Saturday, Charles Forbes Adam, East Riding deputy lieutenant, will officially open the show. On the same day, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, will give a short speech.

On the Sunday, the actual battle anniversary, the chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Cllr John Dennis, will take part in a special service at 10am at the memorial in the village.

The finale that evening will see a march from York to Stamford Bridge by costumed re-enactors, who will then lay to rest the body of the slain Harald Hardrada in a Viking boat.

The show opens at 10.30am each day and closes at 4.30pm. The free finale on the Sunday starts at 7pm.