The Viking boat-burning ceremony which provides the spectacular finale to York's annual Jolablot Festival has been cancelled amid fears about the safety of thousands who flock to see it.

The Jarl Squad of guizers - Shetlanders dressed in viking costume - set fire to a 30-foot wooden longship in Lerwick, Shetland Isles, as part of a traditional pagan festival yesterday

The eye-catching event, last year witnessed by more than 15,000 people, has become so popular over the last 14 years that organisers, The Jorvik Viking Centre, can no longer afford enough safety barriers, or staff, to police it.

The decision to cancel was taken after discussions with North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council about the risk of people falling into the river or into the path of cars on Lendal Bridge.

A dramatic outdoor event in Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square, including fire breathing, has been introduced to plug the gap in the February 24 to 27 festival, but tourists are clearly disappointed.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "The inquiries we've had this year through tourism information centres about the boat-burning have indicated to us how important it is, particularly through the disappointment people are showing when they hear it's not happening."

Jay Commins, public relations manager for the Jorvik Viking Centre, said: "It's not a case of not being able to afford the boat burning, but not being able to afford to do the boat burning safely because the costs have risen year on year."

Dr Peter Addyman, director of York Archaeological Trust, which owns the Jorvik Viking Centre, said: "It's sad because it's a very popular event, but York Archaeological Trust is a fairly small outfit in relation to the size of the event.

"We're delighted that the idea has been so successful, but we have been slightly overwhelmed by it."

The boat- burning is being replaced by what is described as a Son et Lumiere presentation in Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square from 5.30pm-7pm on the penultimate day of the festival, February 26. It will include fire-eaters, living history exhibits and entertainment.

A full festival brochure is available from the Jorvik Viking Centre, tourist information offices or on the website at www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk.

Last year's boat-burning event cost £15,000 to stage but the organisers were advised by North Yorkshire Police and other consultants that its location at the bottom of Marygate was no longer viable for safety reasons.

First Stop York makes a contribution of £5,000 to the festival and the rest is funded by the Jorvik Viking Centre.

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