VIKING voyagers sailed into York at the weekend for the grand finale of Jolablot 2002.

A spectacular fireworks display at the Eye of York was the back-drop for the end of a week of Viking celebrations around the city.

Crews from Norway, Ireland, France and across the UK were welcomed to the city for the Longships River Challenge, which began at noon on Saturday at King's Staith.

The colourful regatta was followed by a Viking procession through the city and the bloody clash of weapons at the Eye of York.

The final day's events ended with a torchlit procession and a floodlit battle in the shadow of Clifford's Tower, followed by the spectacular fireworks.

This year's event also saw the launch of a project to build York's own Viking ship, which will take part in next year's races.

A group of York businessmen have joined forces to build the ship - to promote the city abroad and provide a valuable education tool for local children.

Jorvik in Viking Europe, was officially launched at the Regatta, and aims to raise an initial £50,000 from local sponsorship to build a 30ft ship, which would, hopefully, be moored at Naburn.

Project manager Paul Calvert, presented a glass panel to the Viking Club of Norway to launch the scheme.

He said: "This is the first stage of our exciting project - it's all been launched now and we have promised that York will have it's own Viking Ship for Jolablot 2003.

"York needs to be properly represented at this event and next year we will be.

"The day's events on Saturday were fantastic, it was a wonderful culmination of the celebration.

"We had some good fun and super racing and the fireworks were absolutely spectacular.

"The sound of them booming out from Clifford's Tower was super - it was like an echo chamber before the lights hit the sky."

Oslo won the Longships River Challenge and a team from Ardglass in Northern Ireland won the women's event.

Updated: 11:40 Monday, February 18, 2002