HISTORY was brought alive for hundreds of children, when re-enactment experts raided a school dressed as marauding Vikings.

Every aspect of yesterday's friendly invasion was videoed and recorded by youngsters at Grangetown's Caedmon School, near Middlesbrough, to be used to explore the world of the Norse invaders.

The raiders are "colonising" the school for the duration of the project. Viking artisans will be spending one day a week with the children, teaching them traditional skills such as making leather shoes, pewter jewellery, clothing and pottery.

An historically accurate Viking house will form the centrepiece, and parents and members of the local community will be encouraged to join in with workshop activities.

The invasion is to be used in history, literacy and drama lessons, with computer technology - the school having just won Northern Grid's Overall Excellence in ICT award.

The spring term project will culminate in ten children from Caedmon visiting their Danish partner, Jellebakkeskolen in Aarhus and video conferencing between the schools is due to start within the next month.