Hordes of marauding Vikings have descended on a coastal town in Yorkshire.

About 200 Vikings pitched authentic tents in the grounds of Whitby Abbey to form a living history event that included battle re-enactments as well as period cooking and crafts.

Whitby Abbey viking re-enactment
Invading Vikings ascend Whitby’s famous 199 steps (Danny Lawson/PA)
Whitby Abbey viking re-enactment
Young warriors are sent to collect water (Danny Lawson/PA)
Whitby Abbey viking re-enactment
A shaft of sunlight passes through an opening in a tent to illuminate Viking re-enactors camping with their dog (Danny Lawson/PA)
Whitby Abbey viking re-enactment
A Viking keeps watch as food is prepared in the background (Danny Lawson/PA)
Whitby Abbey viking re-enactment
Visitors were treated to spectacular swordsmanship in front of Whitby Abbey (Danny Lawson/PA)