ONE of York’s top tourist attractions will close to the public in January while a £1 million redevelopment project is completed.

Animatronic figures which will interact with figures are part of a major upgrade of facilities at the Jorvik Viking Centre.

The revamp, which began in November, will also see a reconstruction of the original Coppergate excavation and the reconstruction of a new Viking-age house and backyard.

Since November, some areas of the Jorvik Viking Centre have been closed while work is carried out and visitors have been offered a 25 per cent discount on their admission.

But between January 5 and 31 the attraction will be completely closed to allow for major structural work to take place. From February 1 to 11 parts of the centre will re-open and the 25 per cent discount will apply again.

The whole centre will officially reopen to the public on February 13, in time for the 25th Jorvik Viking Festival, which runs from February 13 to 21.

Throughout the period of work, the Jorvik shop will remain open, but will be closed on January 5 and 6.