BISHOPS Wood Centre, near Stourport, is bracing itself for an invasion by Vikings next month.

Members of Birmingham Vikings will set up a traders' market around the centre's Saxon hall, where they will demonstrate skills from the Saxon and Viking periods.

Among crafts they will showcase are shoe-making, weaving, leatherwork, spinning and fire-making.

Visitors will be able to talk to the experts, try on chainmail and make Saxon coins. Children will be able to try making masks, jewellery and Viking flip-books.

There will also be demonstrations of combat, showing how a range of Viking weapons were used.

John Rhymer, head of the centre, said: "Thousands of children have visited Bishops Wood with the classes to take part in our Saxon and Viking programmes.

"This event will give them, their families and others a chance to find out even more about this fascinating time in out island's history."

Bishops Wood's Saxon hall is an authentic reproduction of a hall from the early Saxon period and is based on a reconstruction at West Stow Saxon Village. It took four years to build and was erected by volunteers led by Bob Green, who works at the centre.

The event takes place on Sunday, April 17, from 11am until 3pm. There is an admission charge. Teachers can attend a preview day on Saturday, April 16, between 3pm and 5pm.