THE past is being brought to life at one of the region's greatest stately homes - where the clock has been turned back by two millennia.

Castle Howard is playing its part in the York Roman Festival with a series of fun activities for youngsters.

The events, which began yesterday and continue until Thursday, are being led by Keith Mulhearn in the guise of Centurion Maximus Gluteus.

He will be recruiting children to join the Roman army, demonstrating weapons and armour and showing how powerful a Roman soldier had to be in order to wield his sword while wearing his heavy armour on the battlefield. Youngsters can try on the armour, create a shield, and perform authentic army drills on the lawns.

The York Roman Festival runs until Sunday.