Special talks at JORVIK Viking Centre have proved so popular that the York visitor attraction is extending its hours.

From Friday 16 August, the first tours will start at 9am, for the remainder of the school summer holidays.

Head of visitor operations, Gareth Henry, said: "We have changed the visitor experience for the summer holidays, with prebooked timeslots enabling us to give visitors a special talk before they alight the ride through the recreated streets of 10th century Coppergate.

"This is proving hugely popular, to the point where we have been fully booked every day since the talks started on July 22.

"We know that this means that some people have not been able to get in, and we don’t want anyone to be disappointed, so we’re extending our opening hours, opening an hour earlier."

The centre's move to prebooked tickets should result in a reduction in visitor waiting times, with visitors expected to have to wait no more than 10 to 15 minutes to be admitted into their timeslot.

Visits to the centre, located in the Coppergate Centre, take around an hour.

Admission prices are £16.50 for adults, £13.25 for concessions, and £11.00 for children, with under 5s going free.

Family tickets are also available for £46.00 (two adults and two children) or £43 (two adults and three children).

Tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of first admission, meaning visitors can return as many times as they like for a full year.

More information is available at jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk.