Challengers are being asked to come forward to defend northern honour in a game which was being played in the city as long ago as 400AD.

Jorvik Viking Centre staff are searching for local competitors in the ancient Nordic game of Hnefatafl as victories chalked up by southerners and overseas visitors outnumber York residents.

And they are asking them to show that the home of the Viking invaders still houses the champions of the game.

The centre's consumer marketing executive Janet Baverstock said: "We know there are people in the north who are capable of beating the champ, so come on and don't let these southerners get away with it."

Hnefatafl is a board game similar to chess and draughts, but pieces can't be "taken" until they are completely surrounded by the opposition.

Pieces can only move vertically or horizontally, but they go backwards or forwards.

Centre spokesman Samantha Orange said: "It is quite easy to get to grips with, but it is a very tactical game.

"The players have to be totally aware of what their opponents are doing because if their pieces get surrounded they are in for a fall."

Jorvik Viking Centre is heading a revival of the historic Hnefatafl, which means King's Table, by challenging players to come forward until the end of August.

According to Miss Orange it was a popular pastime used by the invaders to pass the time, with remains of boards and pieces found throughout the country, including the Coppergate archaeological dig.

She said: "People have the impression that the Vikings did nothing but raid cities, but they did have a home life.

"They used to sit at home with a drink and play Hnefatafl in the same way as we would go to the pub and play dominoes."

Anybody interested in trying their skills at the game is asked to contact the Viking Centre on (01904) 543403. They need to visit the centre to play.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.