AXE-wielding Viking hordes are set to descend on York once again for the spectacular Jolablot festival.

A full programme of events for Jolablot 2002, the acclaimed annual Jorvik Viking Festival, has just been released.

The festival, which will be staged from Saturday, February 9, to Sunday, February 17, will see the impressive spectacle of hundreds of battle-hardened Vikings taking to the streets of the city on the weekend of February 16 and 17 as the highlight of the event.

A range of workshop-style events to entertain the whole family throughout the half-term holiday will also be running.

These will include living history displays, saga telling, fringe events, a Viking market and traditional craft demonstrations.

Jorvik spokeswoman Gillian Neild said: "It is going to be really exciting. The festival brings the streets of York to life with hundreds of Vikings in superb costumes and it creates a wonderful family atmosphere throughout the city."

The start of the festival coincides with the launch of Jorvik's exciting new Viking Voyagers exhibition, which features hands-on activities, artefacts and new academic research around the theme of Viking ships. Jorvik, which has recently undergone a major development programme, will be open to visitors throughout the festival.

Full details of the festival's programme can be obtained by calling Jorvik on 01904 643211 or by sending a large SAE to the Festival Office, Jorvik, Coppergate, York, YO1 9WT. Details are also available on the Jorvik website, www.vikingjorvik.com

A taste of the events on offer:

* Friday, February 8 - 12.30pm-3pm - A schools' procession, including Viking costumes, sagas and whole-body puppetry, which sets off from the Coppergate Centre and finishes at Central Methodist Hall, St Saviourgate.

* Saturday, February 9 - 10am-5pm - Viking Market, Barley Hall Coffee Yard, off Stonegate. Specialist makers and sellers of period crafts which were commonplace in Viking times.

Adult admission £1, children 50p. Call 01904 610275 for details.

11am-4pm - Scandinavian Secrets, St Mary's Church, Castlegate. Members of York's Anglo-Scandinavian Society will be offering an insight into Scandinavian life, from costumes and crafts to crayfish. Adult admission £1.50, children and concession £1.

Updated: 14:45 Friday, January 04, 2002