A pint-sized army of Dane warriors got decked out for battle, at a craft workshop held at Sheringham ahead of the town's annual Scira Viking festival.

Eastern Daily Press: Sheringham mayor David Gooch joins in the shield-making fun with six-year-old Elizabeth Turner. Picture: KAREN BETHELLSheringham mayor David Gooch joins in the shield-making fun with six-year-old Elizabeth Turner. Picture: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Run by festival founder Colin Seal and a team of Sheringham carnival committee members, the workshop saw dozens of youngsters and their parents make painted swords and shields from pieces of foam board cut out by festival volunteers.

Sheringham mayor David Gooch, who dropped by to join in the fun, praised Mr Seal for his efforts.

'Colin has a great team supporting him, but he is the real driving force behind the festival,' he said.

This year's event kicks off on Saturday with an all day screening of a Viking documentary at the town's Mo museum.

Eastern Daily Press: Four-year-old Josie Humphreys and sister Ella, 2, with the swords and shields they made for Sheringham's Scira Viking festival. Picture: KAREN BETHELLFour-year-old Josie Humphreys and sister Ella, 2, with the swords and shields they made for Sheringham's Scira Viking festival. Picture: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Other attractions will include street battles staged by Gorleston-based re-enactment group Wuffa and Viking-style spinning and knitting demonstrations at the seafront museum.

A torchlit procession will set off from Station Road at 6pm, heading through the town centre to the east beach, where a longboat built by West Runton carpenter Brian Howe will be burnt on the shore.

Eastern Daily Press: Pals Brannon Craske and Toby Spooner pose for a picture in front of Sheringham's wooden llongboat with the swords and shields they made for the annual Scira Viking festival. Picture: KAREN BETHELLPals Brannon Craske and Toby Spooner pose for a picture in front of Sheringham's wooden llongboat with the swords and shields they made for the annual Scira Viking festival. Picture: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Scira Viking festival volunteer Alice Daniels with sisters Sophie and Elizabeth Turner. Picture: KAREN BETHELLScira Viking festival volunteer Alice Daniels with sisters Sophie and Elizabeth Turner. Picture: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Five-year-old twins Bea and Aggie Chuter with little brother Teddy,3. Picture: KAREN BETHELLFive-year-old twins Bea and Aggie Chuter with little brother Teddy,3. Picture: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Family shield and sword making workshop ahead of this weekend's Scira Viking festival at Sheringham. Picture: KAREN BETHELLFamily shield and sword making workshop ahead of this weekend's Scira Viking festival at Sheringham. Picture: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)