AN inaugural two-day festival celebrating Wirral's Norse heritage is taking place later this year.

Leasowe Castle will host the Wirral Viking Festival on May 25 and 26 - featuring a host of events including re-enactments, warrior training, workshops, performances, music, talks, stalls and more.

The 'family-friendly' event will feature re-enactments, immersive story telling, talks and activities. It will also give visitors a chance to learn the story of the Wirral Vikings who settled here in 902AD and the Ancient Norse myths and legends.

Wirral Globe: Preparing for the inaugural Wirral Viking Festival, which will be held at Leasowe Castle on May 25 and 26 this yearPreparing for the inaugural Wirral Viking Festival, which will be held at Leasowe Castle on May 25 and 26 this year (Image: courtesy of Justin Hopper and Liberty Guy)A spokesperson for the organisers said: "With something for everyone across the two days, Wirral Viking Festival promises to be entertaining, enlightening and engaging — bringing something new and unique to Wirral."

The opening day (Saturday, May 25) will feature a wide range of events from 9am.

Among the entertainment will be warrior training and workshops, The Saga Of Ingimund & The Wirral Vikings re-enactment, The Wirral Drummers, The Inferno Sisters, talks from Viking experts, chanting, dance and more. There will be plenty of stalls, food and drink available throughout the day and night too.

Day two (Sunday, May 26), will feature a similar line-up as well as a huge Viking funeral and boat burning aims, according to the organiser, "to end the weekend in emphatic style".

Organiser Liberty Guy said: "I'm really excited to be bringing this fun, immersive and educational festival to Wirral for its first year.

Wirral Globe: Preparing for the inaugural Wirral Viking Festival, which will be held at Leasowe Castle on May 25 and 26 this yearPreparing for the inaugural Wirral Viking Festival, which will be held at Leasowe Castle on May 25 and 26 this year (Image: courtesy of Justin Hopper and Liberty Guy)"There's been lots of planning but the weekend is soon upon us and I'm really looking forward to celebrating our rich Viking heritage.

"We have such a talented team of performers, re-enactment specialists, musicians and more - it's going to be be incredible!"

She continued: "There’s so much on offer over the weekend.

"As well as all the entertainment and performances, you can learn how to cook Viking food, do basket weaving, learn how to play ancient instruments and more.

Wirral Globe: A huge Viking funeral and boat burning will bring the inaugural Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on May 25 and 26 to a closeA huge Viking funeral and boat burning will bring the inaugural Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on May 25 and 26 to a close (Image: courtesy of Justin Hopper and Liberty Guy)"It’s far more than just a festival — you get to learn so much and can take away new skills for life. I can’t wait to bring all this to Wirral for our first event".

The festival organisers work closely with local museums, historians, ecologists and archaeologists as part of educational and historical talks, lectures and demonstrations.

Wirral Globe: The inaugural Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on May 25 and 26 will feature stalls like this The inaugural Wirral Viking Festival at Leasowe Castle on May 25 and 26 will feature stalls like this (Image: courtesy of Justin Hopper and Liberty Guy)A welcome addition to Wirral and Merseyside, the new annual two day festival aims to entertain whilst educating local people on this important part of our history and culture.

For tickets and more details go to: https://www.thewirralvikingfestival.co.uk/