Jorvik Viking Centre: Moving time capsules hit by glitch

The centre gives visitors the sounds and smells of life in the 10th Century

The capsules which transport visitors around a York attraction have been brought to a halt by a glitch.

The Jorvik Viking Centre, which opened in 1984, said visitors will be lead around the attraction's replica 10th Century village on foot.

Repairs to the time capsule ride would take "more than a day or two", a spokesperson said.

The technical issues come ahead of the city's Jorvik Viking Festival which begins on Monday.

A spokesperson for the centre said walking tours, which were normally reserved for VIPs, would be introduced while the capsules were "temporarily out of operation".

Visitors are usually transported around the centre by a time capsule

Gareth Henry, head of operations at the Viking Centre, said: "With thousands of people planning to descend on York for the Jorvik Viking Festival during half term, we will create the opportunity for visitors to actually walk around the houses and backyards.

He said that way people would get "a close view of life in the Viking age."

Mr Henry said the pre-recorded commentary which usually accompanied the time capsule ride would instead be provided by staff members.

He said visitors would continue to get the sights and sounds of the 10th Century, as the system which pipes smells - from freshly turned wood and leather to rotting meat and cesspits - was "still fully functional".