Mayor Fiona Roper has invited re-enactment group The Vikings to invade the town.

The Mayor has contracted the group to take part in the Alfred’s Day celebrations on October 26 and 27.

They will set up a Viking encampment in the Manor Road Park over the weekend and perform battle re-enactments.

The group, which was founded in 1971, has about 700 members.

The Saxon king Alfred was born in Wantage in 849 and successfully defended his realm against Viking invasions.