A Viking invaded Glusburn County Primary School on Monday.

Viking warrior Leif, from Danelaw village near York, occupied the main hall of the school for the entire morning to give children from years three and four a lesson or two in the ways of the Norsemen.

Armed with his trusty battleaxe, sword, wooden shield and a large array of equipment and artefacts, Leif pitched his camp in the hall and set about dispelling many of the myths about the Vikings.

Leif, alias Dave Thirlwall, said: "It's an in-school living history education service. What we are doing is myth blasting.

"Everybody has heard about the Vikings but a lot of what they have heard about them is wrong.

"They were an intelligent and multi-skilled people. And they didn't have horns on their helmets!"

The visit was organised by Kellie Eastwood, a 4th year student from Leeds Metropolitan University, who is on placement at the school.

Kellie, 23, said: "The children have really enjoyed it.

"It really helps them actually seeing him doing it rather than just learning from a book or having someone talk about it."

Leif the Viking -- alias Dave Thirlwall -- is pictured with helpers Katie Robinson and Jonathan Tomes, both eight, at Glusburn County Primary School