WARRINGTON will be invaded by Vikings this weekend.

The seventh annual Viking and Medieval Market returns on Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm with around 50 specialist traders and re-enactors from all over the country.

Highlights of the free event include Hemlock the dragon, which is a 16ft ride on attraction as well as medieval costume characters and a Viking long ship that is being brought over from Derbyshire.

There will be two live music areas with medieval rockers, Serpentyne heading up the main stage at Market Gate and acoustic folk acts Leafblade and Vales Elia performing in the ‘medieval village’ outside Warrington Market, where you find face painting, craft activities and family entertainment.

There will also be displays by Ya Raqs period dance troupe, the Fighting Knights of Failsworth and Talonted Feathers birds of prey among other street theatre performances and medieval demonstrations. On top of that there is a ‘Trade Of Thrones’ area for Game of Thrones fanatics where ‘Daenerys Targaryen’ and ‘Jon Snow’ will be making an appearance.

Event coordinator Mark Olly said: “The event is taking place a little later in the year this year to accommodate the opening of the new market building but all the usual attractions will be there providing an excellent opportunity once again to experience living history and crafts ancient and not so ancient.

“Buy unique and unusual goods, or simply meet Vikings and knights. It should be a superb family event. The event regularly pulls between 7,000 and 14 000 eager shoppers – and it’s not every day you see a Viking ship parked up on one of Warrington’s main streets.”

Cllr Terry O’Neil, leader of the Council said; “There has been a market in Warrington since 1255 and this event is a great way of celebrating our long and rich market heritage, while also being a fun day out for all the family.”