Viking re-enactors have rowed up the Thames to mark 1,000 years since the Danish Viking, Sweyn Forkbeard, invaded London.

Claus Gurber, Danish ambassador to the United Kingdom, said:

"Exactly 1,000 years here in December is when Forkbeard was crowned King of England, and we come now in peace with a group of Vikings who will give back some of the Danegeld that we had took at that time. We do that in order to show that we come in peace and in order to celebrate the common heritage between our two countries."

A series of new exhibitions and events recognising Viking culture are due to be held across both England and Denmark in 2014, including the first major exhibition on Vikings at the British Museum for over 30 years.

Written by Alfred Joyner

London