ROMAN centurions marched through York as the past came alive to embrace the future for the city's walkers.

The centurions dressed in full Roman costume were joined by Lord Mayor of York Coun Shan Braund as she officially opened the city's new 23-mile Millennium Way.

It is a footpath which allows people to walk in the footsteps of 2,000 years of York's history as well as giving people the chance to witness the newest developments in the city such as the Millennium Bridge.

The Millennium Way is designed to link the five historic strays of York and passes through urban villages as well as some of the best countryside near the city.

At the official opening, Coun Braund joined the ranks of the centurions, who were from the Danelaw village in Murton, as they marched through the Museum Gardens.

She said: "I think walking is a lovely pursuit. It's easy, it's healthy and above all it's free."

Coun Braund said the beauty of the Millennium Way was that you could walk as much or as little of it as you liked.

She added that the Millennium Way would be walked for charity on October 14 and she encouraged as many people as possible to take part.

The City of York Council developed the walk with the Yorkshire Footpaths Trust and has been backed financially by the Countryside Agency and the Millennium Commission Lottery Project.

Peter Evely, the council's head of highway regulation, said: "We are delighted with this new attraction to York and the level of public interest already generated has made all the effort to create the walk worthwhile."

Peter Berry, the council's assistant chief executive and Millennium co-ordinator, said: "The launch of the Millennium Way should be another memorable milestone in this year's Millennium celebrations but I am confident that it will be a lasting reminder of the spirit of community the celebrations in York have fostered throughout the year."

*A guide to the Millennium Way is available from 9, St Leonard's Place, in York, at a cost of £2.50 for York residents and £2.95 for others.