THE week started with rising waters and ended with Vikings riding the River Ouse.

Jolablot 2002 had looked as though it might be upstaged by yet more floods, but in the end the rain stopped, the waters subsided and the event could easily be counted a success once more.

The weekend saw a Longships River Challenge, a Viking procession through York and a floodlit battle in the shadow of Clifford's Tower, complete with fireworks. Stirring sights for the city - and certainly welcome in a wet week in February.

This annual Viking invasion is now an important part of York's calendar. Long may they continue to pillage.

Updated: 10:56 Monday, February 18, 2002