ROMAN centurions are to join the Lord Mayor of York for the opening of one of the city's major Millennium projects - the 23-mile Millennium Way.
The footpath - a circular walk which links the strays of York - will be opened at a ceremony on Monday at the Multangular Tower in Museum Gardens. It is designed to reflect York's history over the past two millennia.
The Lord Mayor, Coun Shan Braund, will be joined by Sheriff of York, Barrie Ferguson, and the centurions in full costume.
The walk passes through urban villages and some of the best countryside around the city.
A major feature will be the crossing of the River Ouse via the new Millennium Bridge linking Terry Avenue and New Walk near Rowntree Park.
A diversion via Skeldergate will be in operation until the bridge opens in November.
The Millennium Way is primarily a footpath, but sections of it are on bridle-ways and cycle paths and some shorter sections are suitable for use by people in wheelchairs.
Devised by members of City of York Council's public rights of way unit with the help of the Yorkshire Footpaths Trust, it forms part of the city's Count Me In Millennium events programme.
The project was backed financially by the Countryside Agency and the Millennium Commission Lottery Project.
The official opening takes place at 2pm on Monday.
A guide to the walk is available from 9, St Leonard's Place, York.
david.wiles@ycp.co.uk
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