A teenage horde of Norse warriors from Sheringham Woodfields School went on the rampage at the town's Tesco store, 'kidnapping' a staff member and pillaging food ahead of the upcoming annual Scira Viking Festival.
The 'invasion' was carried out by a posse of horned helmeted sixth formers, who donned Viking clothes and carried shields and swords made at a workshop run by festival founder Colin Seal.
After posing for photos in front of the festival longboat – which had been towed to the store car park for the occasion – the group, who were accompanied by sixth form teacher Heather Saunders and four teaching assistants, took Tesco service manager Scott Meadows-Wright hostage, tying him up with tape and demanding a ransom of a trolleyful of tins and packets for Cromer and District Foodbank.
Their visit, which was organised by Mr Seal and Sheringham carnival committee members, also saw the teenagers collect cash from shoppers, which they spent on a second trolleyful of foodbank donations.
Teaching assistant Jacqui Terrell said the students had thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the store.
'They have absolutely loved it,' she added. 'They have had loads of fun, but it also really important for them to learn about charity and, rather than just talking about it, having the opportunity to actually be involved is just wonderful.'
Now in its fourth year, the festival regularly attracts locals and visitors in their thousands.
This year's event, which runs on February 18, kicks off with an all day screening of a Viking documentary at the town's seafront museum.
Other attractions will include street battles outside Oddfellows Hall and Viking-style spinning and knitting demonstrations.
A torchlit parade will set off from Station Road at 6pm, winding its way through the town to the east beach, where, in what has become a festival tradition, a longboat built by West Runton carpenter Brian Howe will be burnt on the shore.
Mr Seal will be running a drop-in shield and sword-making workshop at Oddfellows Hall, Lifeboat Plain on February 11 at 11am.
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