Sheringham braces itself for a friendly Viking invasion at festival this weekend

A longboat will burn on the shore at Sheringham this weekend as the town celebrates its Norse heritage .

The second annual Scira Viking festival, which is run by Sheringham carnival committee, kicks off on Saturday with shield and helmet-making workshops at Oddfellows Hall, on Lifeboat Plain.

Festival day on Sunday will feature Viking-style storytelling and music at Sheringham Little Theatre coffee bar from Norwich-based group Storyline Designs, living history demonstrations by Dark Age re-enactors Ordgar, and battle re-enactments from Suffolk-based group Wuffa.

The gardens of the Lobster pub will be transformed into a Viking village for the day, with local 'slaves' being auctioned off with promises of odd-jobs ranging from ironing, to gardening.

The centrepiece of the festival, a longboat built by West Runton carpenter Brian Howell, has been 'moored' outside the town clock, which has also been painted with Viking scenes and symbols.

The 24ft wooden boat will be set alight on the beach in a traditional Norse boat-burning ceremony following Sunday's torchlit parade.

The festival, which was founded last year by Sheringham artist and signwriter Colin Seal, has been funded by donations from local businesses and individuals including well-known artist Brian Lewis, who paid for storytelling sessions, and town councillor Madeleine Ashcroft, who last week gave the event a major boost when she presented organisers with a cheque for £1,000.

Eight town businesses have also paid £50 each to sponsor personalised wooden Viking-style flags.

Mr Seal, who will be offering to paint a mural for the highest bidder at Sunday's slave market, hopes this year's event will raise up to £2,000 and become self-funding.

Are you organising a major community event in north Norfolk? Email karen.bethell@archant.co.uk