Viking raiders have returned to Holy Island for the first time in more than 1,000 years.

A war party of the heavily armed, bearded heathens arrived on Lindisfarne, in Northumberland, to launch a cultural festival.

The Vikings, played by members of the Norse Film and Pageant Society, will give visitors a taste of how they secured their place as one of the most brutal races in history.

Lindisfarne’s Priory was attacked in 793 AD by Viking raiders who sailed directly across the North Sea to Northumbria.

Battle re-enactor Russell Scott, a married father of two of Cheddleton near Leek in Staffordshire, was in full chainmail armour to play the Viking chieftain Rigr.

He said: “The Vikings invaded in the early eighth century, because Charlemagne the dictator had hit the pagan Saxons and in retaliation the Vikings said, we can hit any of your Holy colonies, anywhere in the world.

“Lindisfarne was particularly difficult to hit because of the tides – so by hitting here they proved they could hit anywhere, were not to be messed with, and were best left alone.”

To launch the celebrations, a full-scale replica Viking ship, complete with carved head and Viking crew, has been moored on the island.

A full-scale battle between Viking forces will take place during the weekend.

Jon Hogan, events manager at English Heritage, urged visitors to check tide times to ensure safe passage across the causeway to the island.

He said: “Our Vikings will be helping the island community to highlight safe crossing times to visitors, at the same time as giving visitors a real taste of the terrifying and brutal way they lived.”

Viking Week ends on Sunday.