PUPILS at Park View CP School surrendered to a Viking invasion, but they soon realised the visit was made in peace.

The Year 3 youngsters at the Prestwich school donned helmets and armour to take part in a traditional Viking day and learned there was more to the brutal warriors than the history books depicted.

Pictured with some authentic-looking Viking weapons are eight-year-olds Victoria Ryan and Simon Lucas

"Thorfaft" the Viking, alias Paul Mercer from Houlgate Village, Yorkshire, which specialises in conducting historical days in schools, brought costumes, artefacts and tales of old to entertain the keen students.

And the new band of Scandinavian settlers were treated to some "authentic" Viking fare courtesy of Sainsburys.

Year 3 teacher Mrs Yvette Walker said: "The children really enjoyed themselves. They were able to dress up in costume, look at the artefacts and really get involved in the activities."

The theme ran throughout the day and the children took part in craft sessions during the afternoon which enabled them to make Viking leather bracelets.