VISITORS to a 900-year-old castle were given an insight into the life and times of a medieval knight yesterday.

Helmsley Castle was running a re-enactment day with representatives from the Royal Armouries Museum, in Leeds.

A series of educational displays were put on, showing people how the knights armed themselves during medieval times, how they wore their armour and how they moved in combat.

Visitors to the event were able to try some of the moves for themselves.

Rachel Baldwin, from the castle, said the weekend of re-enactments had been a resounding success.

"It has been extremely popular," she said.

She said that about 4,000 visited the castle on Sunday, but more than that were expected by the end of yesterday.