THE man who helped create York's world-famous Jorvik Viking Centre has offered to help save the Mystery Plays.

Anthony Gaynor was project director of the Viking Centre as it was being constructed in the late 1970s and early 80s, and was then in charge of the award-winning centre in Coppergate until 1989.

He was also head of a team which set up York's successful Jorvik Viking Festival in the late 1980s, which drew huge crowds to see boat-burning ceremonies on the River Ouse and also firework displays.

The former Regular Army Major, and Territorial Army Colonel, has a track record of success in finance and marketing, and has organised the logistics of major events in York, including numerous royal visits and freedom marches. Now he has offered to join a prospective board which may be set up to try to stage the Plays again in 2005.

Mr Gaynor is just the latest person to come forward in response to the Evening Press campaign to keep the Mystery Plays alive. The campaign was launched last week following revelations that they might not take place again until at least 2010 - and quite possibly not even then.

Mr Gaynor said he would like to offer his services on a voluntary basis to assist with organising the plays in 2005. He said he felt the plays were part of the city's fabric and heritage as much as the buildings, and residents had an obligation to ensure they were not lost.

Meanwhile, another offer of help has come from a York woman, Linda Terry, who said: "I'd very much like to be involved in supporting the organisation of a local board to manage the production of these plays. As I work full-time, I have limited time to offer so couldn't undertake this as a major commitment. However, I would wish to be involved in some smaller way."

Updated: 10:32 Saturday, August 02, 2003